Halleli N’Dakarou

Gwelewar were founded in Gambia in 1970 and disbanded shortly after Halleli N Dakarou was recorded in 1982. Remastered and reissued by Teranga Beat, this live recording is perhaps the most technologically experimental of their albums: funky miniMOOG riffs, fuzzed guitars and relentless sabar drums and mbalax rhythms are meshed together with a propulsive, infectious energy. Most tracks unfold over seven or eight minutes, the band’s loose playing allowing different elements to take the lead: soulful vocals, a psychedelic synth riff, and powerful percussion take it in turns on “Balla Jiji”, while on “Ouvareyea” it’s the dexterous guitar that drives the sound.