The musical collaboration between London folk songwriter Piers Faccini and Malian kora virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko traces back nearly 20 years to when they first met at the Label Bleu record company. Faccini, passionate about African music, and Sissoko, an heir to the Mandingo tradition, formed a fascinating dialogue that has deepened over time. Their exchange transcends cultural clichés, emphasizing the importance of learning and understanding each other’s musical languages.
In 2020, after reconnecting at the Nø Førmat label, their collaboration flourished. Sissoko invited Faccini to sing on his album Djourou, and Faccini composed The Fire Inside for the duo. This led to the decision to record a full album together, which is set for release in early 2025, featuring Faccini on guitar and Sissoko on kora.
