Ever since meeting the great Fode Sissoko a great many years ago, I have been in love with the sound of the kora. It's just a beautiful sound that is unmistakable once you've heard a master play. Ballaké Sissoko is such a master, and on his latest single "One Half of a Dream" we are able to enjoy the harp-like presence of the strings, alongside a babbling brook of melody and heartfelt vocal murmur. Showcasing a rich dialogue between the acoustic guitar, the kora, and the ngoni bass, this pleasant song explores the concept of choice in the context of the earth’s current man-made climate crisis and ecological collapse. This is meant as a reminder that it is not too late to start making the right choices, both individually and collectively.

Featuring the understated majesty of British-Italian folk songwriter Piers Faccinni, "One Half of a Dream" is the second single from the highly anticipated debut album from PIERS FACCINI & BALLAKÉ SISSOKO: Our Calling. The two friends’ entirely acoustic performance was recorded in Paris – by Frédéric Soulard – side by side over five days, capturing a dialogue that feels deeply Malian at its core, while also seamlessly infused with the language of English folk songwriting. We love to support this kind of culturally-rich collaboration, and this feels no different from some of the famous West-meets-East moments of years past: like James Brown, The Spinners, and many others playing in Zaire; or Paul Simon's release of "Graceland." It's just a sweet spot of musical synergy, because extending the reach of English folk songs into other genres has been a favorite pastime of bands like Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull for many a decade; and the effortless exuberance of kora-driven melody is wonderful addition to almost any stylistic palate. We look forward to the official release of Our Calling in just a few days.

Faccini and Sissoko first crossed paths at Label Bleu in the 2000s, connecting and experimenting over the years on new paths between Manding traditions and British and Mediterranean folk song forms. Sissoko was a guest on Faccini’s 2nd solo album Tearing Sky in 2005. In 2020, their partnership found new inspiration under the banner of Nø Førmat!, when Sissokoo invited Faccini to sing Kadidja in the Bambara language on his acclaimed album Djourou, and later with The Fire Inside, inspiring their shared vision for Our Calling.

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Photo Credit: Sandra Mehl