We recorded the beautiful sounds of the Kora used in this track in late 2010 in Senegal, in the small village of Ndem, a couple hundred miles East of the capital Dakar – where we also recorded many incredible musicians including Senegalese rap star Matador who lends his voice to the track. The drums are from a session with the renowned French drummer Cyril Atef in his Paris studio a few years later (Cyril is one half of the award winning French act Bumcello).
Kora Borealis is the fifth track from the album ‘Orchestra of Samples’ by UK duo Addictive TV. Improvised recording sessions took place around the world with musicians, which were then sampled to create the project (audio and video were both recorded at the same time by the pair).
Other samples in the track include recordings made in Senegal, France and Reunion Island (in the India Ocean near Madagascar). Both Addictive TV’s Mark Vidler and fretless guitar virtuoso and longtime collaborator Alejandro de Valera also play guitar on the track.
Kounta Dieye – Kora
Matador – Vocals
Cyril Atef – Drums
Ommm – Vocals
Mark Vidler – Guitar
Alejandro de Valera – Guitar
Hubert Sciota – Bass Guitar
Lyrics by Matador (Babacar Diagne)