Sya

Six Degrees Records
Issa Bagayogo – Sya

Traditional African percussion and melody instruments mix with acoustic guitar and bass. The background vocals are chant-like (with Issa’s voice being the male vocal lead, he speaks out stuff ala rap as well as leads background vocals in chant-like sequences) and a lot of the tracks made me think of workers returning from the day’s work in the fields singing. Particularly intriguing percussion instruments. Simple repetitive melodies.

Track 1 is the title track, it starts off with thunder and bird voices ending with very interesting rhythms in the last minute of the track. Playing this track more or less gives the listener a feel for the entire CD(and I’m not just saying that coz it’s the title track). Lots of electronic stuff happening here though which the other tracks don’t have as much.

Track 3 has very strong background vocals and blends both guitars rather well into the whole mix(as does track 6).

Track 7 is fast paced with the background vocals more or less echoing the male lead vocals.

Track 8 is medium paced and almost hypnotic in effect with both male and female vocals.