In a captivating musical marriage that transcends borders, Swedish flautist Annarella Sörlin has joined forces with acclaimed Malian ngoni player Django Diabaté for an innovative debut album titled Jouer. Released on the We Are Busy Bodies label, this lyrical fusion record weaves together the expressive tones of the European flute and the percussive twang of the West African lute, creating a fresh sonic tapestry.
Flute Meets Ngoni in Cross-Cultural Collaboration
The ngoni, a traditional stringed instrument popular in Mali and throughout West Africa, has long intrigued musicians worldwide with its distinct plucked melodies. As Sörlin explained in a recent interview, she was drawn to the ngoni’s unique texture and saw immense potential in pairing it with her flute.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the way the ngoni’s twangy sound can cut through and complement other instruments,” Sörlin revealed. “When I met Django and heard his incredible playing, I knew we had to explore this combination further.”
Annarella Sörlin
Jouer’s 11 tracks showcase the duo’s chemistry, with Diabaté’s lightning-fast runs and soulful phrases intertwining with Sörlin’s soaring flute lines. While several songs feature a full band with bass, drums, and keys, it’s the stripped-back moments that allow the ngoni-flute interplay to truly shine.
Standout Tracks Highlight Duo’s Artistry
The album opens with the bucolic beauty of “Intro,” as finger-picked acoustic guitar lays a gentle foundation for the twinkling dialogue between ngoni and flute. On the percolating “Hommage à Dallas Dialy Mory Diabaté,” hand claps and sparse bass drum create a swaying groove for Diabaté’s virtuosic soloing.
Sörlin takes center stage on the yearning “Pluie Melancholique,” her keening flute timbre evoking a sense of longing as a melodica echoes Diabaté’s tender phrases. The contrasting “Aduna Ak Asaman” finds the duo trading rapid-fire licks, with Sörlin’s staccato exhalations matching Diabaté’s muscular attack.
Musical Marriage Offers Promising Partnership
While the full-band arrangements on tracks like “Megaphone” and “Degrees of Freedom” at times relegate the ngoni and flute to the background, Jouer remains an engaging introduction to Sörlin and Diabaté’s partnership. Amidst an expanding global music scene, the duo has carved out a distinctive sound rooted in their respective traditions yet unbound by convention.
“This album is about the joy of playing together and seeing where our instruments can take us,” Diabaté shared in a press statement. “Annarella and I come from very different musical worlds, but we’ve found a common language through melody and improvisation.”
As Sörlin and Diabaté continue to hone their compelling sonic alchemy, Jouer marks a promising beginning for a duo poised to make a lasting impact on the international music landscape. By interweaving the timbres and techniques of their disparate cultures, they are crafting a musical bridge that spans continents while resonating in listeners’ souls.
