DAGARA – Gyil Music of Ghana’s Upper West Region

Dagara gyil field recordings from Ghana – Two side long tracks of dizzying acoustic trance music – Musicians include Aaron Bebe Sukura – Recorded by Hisham Mayet on location in Lawra, Ghana in 2019 – Limited edition LP with 4 page insert of liner notes and photos – Field recordings of Lobi traditional xylophone (gyil) music recorded by Hisham Mayet on location in Ghana’s Upper West Region, West Africa in 2019. Featuring Aaron Bebe Sukura, considered one of the gyil’s master musicians from this area
Long form trance music with acoustic instruments sounding like several minimalist orchestras getting to maximalist sonic peaks. The gyil music of the Dagara is a complex multi-dimensional symphony of notes, bringing to life an animist expression that reveals a cultural dialogue between the spirits, the deceased, musicians, dancers, and audience alike. The intensity of this recording reaches a level of complexity that rivals techno music. It is in essence an acoustic techno music, utilizing organic instruments made of wood, leather and gourds filled with spider egg sacs for resonance and played by master musicians creating a sonic wanderlust of mesmerizing sound