Nigerian Afrobeat and Moroccan gnawa music come from much different traditions, but they blend together nicely in this collaboration between French group Fanga and Moroccan gnawa maalem (“teacher” or “master”) Abdallah Guinea. “Gnawi” and “Noble Tree” each stretch well past 10 minutes as Fanga lays down Fela Kuti-style rhythms and sax riffs over Guinea’s sinuous basslines, played on the three-stringed gimbri lute. “Kelen” circles around a catchy drum break, while “Dounya” resembles a field recording with its rustic percussion and vocal chants.
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