Ears of the People is a collection of sublime contemporary recordings of the ekonting, a three-stringed gourd lute played by Jola people in Gambia and the Casamance region of Senegal.
The nine tradition-bearers featured on the album share stories of love, heartache, conflict, spirituality, and all that is unique and beautiful in Jola culture over the rolling lilt of the instrument.
An important forebear of the American banjo, the ekonting drives lively dancing and brings these stories to life.
These songs, rarely heard outside Senegambia, are a living tapestry of the Jola people and a unique interweaving of human voices and stringed instruments. Smithsonian Folkways
Ears of the People: Ekonting Songs from Senegal and the Gambia
1. Musa Diatta – Watu Eriring bee Kaolo (3:06)
2. Abdoulaye Diallo – Ami Kolle / Salymane / Alassane (3:26)
3. Sijam Bukan – Mamba Sambou (2:01)
4. Adama Sambou;Ejam Kasa – Colobane Yolooli (2:08)
5. Sijam Bukan – Diego (3:04)
6. Jean “Kangaben” Djibalen – Elenbeja (2:35)
7. Esukolaal – Bapaalaay (3:25)
8. Elisa Diedhiou – Aline Sitoe (2:36)
9. Sijam Bukan – Sijam Bukan (2:24)
10. Daniel Laemou-Ahuma Jatta – Kunaare Kati Gambi (2:25)
11. Bouba Diedhiou – Aduna Esore (2:34)
12. Elisa Diedhiou – Adiatta Ubonketom (2:45)
13. Adama Sambou;Ejam Kasa – Ajeme (3:20)
14. Musa Diatta – Celestine (3:02)
15. Daniel Laemou-Ahuma Jatta – Aliinom (1:08)
16. Esukolaal – Koriye (2:50)
17. Adama Sambou;Ejam Kasa – Ahan Bokin (3:58)
18. Sijam Bukan – Asum Bunuk (3:03)
19. Bouba Diedhiou – Kanyalen Rosalie (2:31)
20. Adama Sambou;Ejam Kasa – Aguene Diambone (8:04)
21. Musa Diatta – Aliinom (Ballanta) (2:52)
22. Esukolaal – Asunge (1:57)
23. Abdoulaye Diallo – Inje Mama Oomei? (1:26)
24. Jean “Kangaben” Djibalen – Madu (8:40)
25. Abdoulaye Diallo – Ayinga Bañiil Dane Dibuke Ban (3:07)
Produced by Scott Linford
Recorded and mixed byScott Linford
Mastered by Pete Reiniger
Annotated by Daniel Laemou-Ahuma Jatta and Scott Linford
Photos by Scott Linford
Executive producers: Daniel E. Sheehy and John Smith
Production manager: Mary Monseur
Production assistant: Kate Harrington
Editorial assistance by James Deutsch
Art direction, design and layout by Visual Dialogue
Smithsonian Folkways