aaamusic | On 18, Feb 2013

New Yorker Joe Driscoll and West African star Sekou Kouyate are a potent blend of folk, blues, rock, reggae, hip-hop and afro beat. Both critically acclaimed, they sing in English and Sousou respectively.

Sekou Kouyate, a Ghanaian musician, is a member of world renowned band Ba Cissoko and is well known in France as the Jimi Hendrix of the kora. A kora is a harp-like instrument often used in West Africa. Joe Driscoll, is part of the OneTaste Collective and has collaborated with Rodney P and Skitz, plus Spragga Benz.
Their single Faya, taken from their debut album Faya, is released on 25th February, 2013 by Localization Records. Translated from Sousou Faya means ‘give me the fire, let me play with it’ and this is something that they certainly do.

Faya is fast, catchy and atmospheric. It’s refreshing with a Tinariwen styled desert blues energy and is inspired by different creative and cultural backgrounds. It also hints at Dr John’s I Walk On Guilded Splinters. Added to the single is a super dub remix of the same track from Eddie Rankin of Gentleman’s Dub Club.

★★★★★

Anthony Weightman