Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba – Miri [Outhere Records; January 2019]
Miri, by and large, is a traditionally African masterpiece upon first impressions. Tempo variations, vocal styles, thrum and drone production arrangements, as well as its sense of community, love and friendship, are a true representation of the quintessential Malian primitives. In addition to Bassekou Kouyaté’s savage handiwork and supplemental genre infusions, Miri can only be thoroughly contemplated when played full-bore; loud if you will.
Gwen Moon