Nils Kercher trio with special guest Oumar Barou Kouyaté (Mali)

World music full of delicate interiority and at the same time exciting dynamism: The singer and multi-instrumentalist Nils Kercher draws on the traditions of West Africa as well as from the introspective atmosphere of Nordic expanse and modern songwriting.

With a complex arsenal of percussion, kora, balafon, guitar and a network of voices, his international trio creates a lively fusion of two musical worlds. The music brings continents together with a new lyrical sound language — and inspires listeners of different generations and nationalities.

With his virtuously played Malian gauntlet Ngoni, Barou Kouyaté, long-time fellow musician and nephew of the internationally successful Bassekou Kouyaté, brings a warm color to the texture.

Kira Kaipainen accompanies the sound journey with a delicate voice, sensitive percussion and lyrics that get under your skin.

How natural and organic the dialogue between the musicians sounds is evidence of their curiosity about the unusual and their sovereignty.

The songs feel like a cycle of verses that resonate with you for a long time. In doing so, the well-rehearsed trio succeeds in merging the subtle, subtle in the compositions and the passion for rhythm and the driving force. The clearly arranged pieces make these two poles vibrate in a powerful and delicate balance.

Nils Kercher's albums met with great international response from the global fusion and songwriter music scene. He reached the World Music Charts Europe with “Ancient Intimations”. The BBC and renowned music magazines such as Songlines, fRoots and R2 compared his pieces with well-known productions from very different cultural backgrounds — by artists such as Rokia Traore, Steve Reich and Peter Gabriel. And that aptly describes his music: It glides from atmosphere to atmosphere and between times and continents to weave an organic — own — story from it with an unmistakable note.

The cast:

Nils Kercher (D) Kora (21-string West Africa. bridge harp), vocals, percussion, guitarOumar Barou Kouyate (Mali) Ngoni (Malian lute), acoustic guitar, talking drumKira Kaipainen (FIN) percussion, vocals, balafon

www.nilskercher.de

Press reviews:

“enchanting” (WDR 5)

“His partnership with Oumar Barou Kouyate is an impressive testament to how two musicians from different roots cultures can work together in a supportive and inspiring way. This isn't a “cut-and-paste” transfer, but a real fusion... which often sounds like it came from the real-world catalog. I suspect this will encourage more people to listen to the Kora...” (fRoots MAGAZINE/ UK)

“simple, deeply perceptible authenticity” (Badische Neueste Nachrichten)

“great pull effect” (jazz thetics)

“... goosebumps... timelessly beautiful...” (Rocktimes)

“... managing to convey both a vast Nordic soundscape and the intimcy of African village life...” (R2 MAGAZINE RocknReel/UK)

“wonderful new album.. great songs, sparkling with Kora and fantastic vocals” (BBC/UK)

“... nice new album... melodies that immediately envelop the listener and lyrics that make you think” (General-Anzeiger Bonn)

“Peace, harmony, lightness... global feel-good music in times that are not always full of harmony... global singer-songwriter art... Very dreamy — but sometimes when you listen more to the lyrics, also very combative... exciting project and across cultures — the Rhineland is just somewhere between Mali and Helsinki” (HR2 Culture)

“a wonderful concert full of dedication and virtuosity” (Songlines (UK)