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Jaliya Silokang The Path of a Griot
Suntou Susso
Label: Self Produced
Released: 2025
Duration: 46:35
Views: 114
Tracks
Jaliya (Being A Griot; Badinya (Family); Barro (Hard Worker); Jangfajang Kano (Long Distance Love); Joulou Fola (String Player) feat. Vieux Farka Touré; Yirolu Bala (Within The Trees); Lannaya (Trust) feat. K.O.G; Jangfa (Betrayal); Jula Jekereh (Trader Jekereh) ft Binta Suso; Tamala (Traveller).
Personnel
Additional Personnel / Information
Róisín Howitt: fiddle; Rowan Collinson: viola; Awen Blandford: cello; Phoebe Harty: cello.
Album Description
Gambian kora master and singer-songwriter, Suntou Susso hails from a celebrated lineage of griot musicians. Counting amongst his family are some of the world’s most renowned West African artists including Seckou Keita, Solo Cissokho, and Mamudou Susso. Offering a contemporary edge grounded in ancestral wisdom, ‘Jaliya Silokang - The Path of a Griot’ is more than an album; it’s a bridge between generations and continents. The original compositions are rooted in Afro-Manding style with polyrhythms, spark influences from folk, jazz and funk. This contemporary griot song book by Suntou Susso resonates powerful messages of personal responsibility - to each other and to the world. ‘Jaliya Silokang’ shows Suntou Susso’s full strength as a musician, singer and griot with song narratives that promote diversity, cultural connection, acceptance and kindness through music. These are the teachings of griots. ‘Jaliya Silokang’ is an international soundscape, a sonic journey from Gambia to the UK and beyond. Recorded in Senegal and the UK, the album features a mighty cast of 24 musicians from 10 countries. These include critically acclaimed guests, ‘The Hendrix of the Sahara’, Vieux Farka Touré, Ghanaian superstar K.O.G. and Suntou Susso’s sister, acclaimed vocalist, Binta Suso. Rooted in his 700-year-old West African griot lineage, the album is a deeply personal exploration of identity, heritage, and cultural legacy. Sung in Mandinka, his mother tongue, the album’s lyrics are thought-provoking and uplifting — weaving together the voices of elders and the youth. Suntou Susso consciously chose “Yirolu Bala” (Within the Trees) as the first single on ‘Jaliya Silokang’ with its soulful call to protect our planet. Its narrative was inspired by and closely aligns with the work of Green-Up Gambia, an independent organisation whose primary objective is to educate the younger generation on the issues of climate change, deforestation and desertification through active tree planting and environmental issues. “Yirolu Bala” derives from an old Mandinka proverb: “The Earth’s wellbeing is within the trees”. Suntou Susso shares his vision for this new musical project: “It’s about Jaliya - it’s about being a Griot. With this album I wanted to communicate to the young generation in terms of the environmental message and our culture, the importance of preserving it, and want the role of a Griot to be recognised for its important role during these crises. I have given it all my best as a young Griot, to make a change and inspire young people, and protect the planet we live on.”
Album uploaded by Angie Lemon PR
