Arka'n Asrafokor, Leyla McCalla and Ndagga Rhythm Force to Oslo World
The only metal band from Togo, a fantastic cellist and singer/songwriter and a meeting between techno genius Mark Ernestus and Senegal's sabar musicians.
Arka'n Asrafokor - Goldie - Friday October 31st
In Lomé, there are no metal clubs and the genre is not always welcome. However, today, Togo is becoming one of the cornerstones of African metal with the rise and shine of Arka'n Asrafokor.
Arka'n Asrafokor are musical explorers, constantly playing around with different facets of metal, between trash, speed, Neo and death influences. Between guttural vocals and rapped flows, heavy riffs and regional rhythms, they represent something new on the rapidly growing, global metal scene.
This autumn, Oslo better get ready for the new wave of West African metal.
Leyla McCalla - Parkteatret - Friday October 31st
Leyla McCalla offers a fresh and challenging perspective on roots music, combining folk, jazz, and classical elements with the Louisiana musical traditions of her adopted New Orleans home.
Born in New York City to Haitian emigrants and activists, the singer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist finds inspiration from her past and present– her music vibrates with three centuries of history and influences from around the globe.
McCalla’s newest album, Sun Without the Heat, is playful and full of joy while holding the pain and tension of transformation. Throughout the album's ten tracks, she plays with melodies and rhythms derived from various forms of Afro-diasporic music including Afrobeat, Ethiopian modalities, Brazilian Tropicalismo, and American folk and blues.
Oslo World x Frædag: Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force
Ndagga Rhythm Force are one of the most explosive African acts these days, centered around the stunning stage presence of singer Mbene Diatta Seck and veteran percussionist Bada Secks. They are joined by more characters from the Dakar scene for a night you will not forget.
It all started in 2011 when Mark Ernestus (of Basic Channel, Rhythm & Sound and Hard Wax fame) travelled to Senegal in search of original Mbalax recordings and invited over 20 percussionists for a spontaneous recording session in Dakar. Mixed back in Berlin, the recordings came out on the 2012 twin albums 800% Ndagga and Ndagga Versions under the “Mark Ernestus presents Jeri-Jeri” moniker - simply using the sabar drummers' clan name.
Their long-expected new album Khadim was released this year on Ernestus’ own Ndagga imprint. It consists of four expansive, meandering tracks, reminiscent of Mark Ernestus’ earlier work with Rhythm & Sound.
