Damon Albarn, Brian Eno & Africa Express Do Terry Riley’s ‘In C Mali’

While much of minimalist composer Terry Riley‘s work has been electronic, his seminal In C is for any number of people and any instruments.

In C Mali, described as ‘the first African version of Riley’s minimalist classic’, was recorded in Bamako, Mali in October 2013. This new version features artists from Bamako & western guests (Brian Eno, Damon Albarn and others) led by conductor Andre de Ridder. 

The musicians on Africa Express Presents… Terry Riley’s In C Mali are:

  • Adama Koita: Kamel N’goni
  • Alou Coulibaly: Calabash
  • Andi Toma: Additional Percussion, Kalimba
  • Andre de Ridder: Violin, Baritone-guitar
  • Kalimba Badou Mbaye: Djembe, Percussion
  • Brian Eno: Vocals
  • Bijou: Vocals
  • Olugbenga: Vocals
  • Cheick Diallo: Flute
  • Damon Albarn: Melodica
  • Defily Sako: Kora
  • Modibo Diawara : Kora
  • Guindo Sala: Imzad
  • Kalifa Kone: Balafon
  • Meme Kone: Balafon
  • Nick Zinner: Guitar
  • Jeff Wootton: Guitar

The video takes a journey through the streets of the Malian capital and into the makeshift studio at local youth club Maison Des Jeunes, offering glimpses of the process behind the creation of In C Mali.

In C Mali is available via Amazon or via the Transgressive Records site.

6 thoughts on “Damon Albarn, Brian Eno & Africa Express Do Terry Riley’s ‘In C Mali’

  1. lLstened to all 20 minutes at a high volume in headphones. Quite easily one of the best recorded versions of In C ever made. Didn’t watch the video.

    Happy side note: never noticed Eno or Albarn. Not that I don’t like/appreciate their music (eno4life) but this is exactly the kind of project stupid-white-men could ruin.

  2. Damon Albarn, decided he was the expert on Chinese music a while back, which upset quite a few noted Chinese uk based artists. His bland music turns me off. Tory boy trying to be ethnic.

  3. Fantastic!

    While I agree with the “stupid white men’ comment, I must say that D Albarn is becoming quite the little Bowie, he’s all over the place. Is it all good? probably not but at least he’s not sitting on his fat ass at home collecting royalty checks.

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