haruna kuyateh: kora foo ep
Francisco Espregueira
Apparel Music’s diverse output is enriched with the creation of another sub-label (go check Apparel Wax and Apparel Tronic) dedicated exclusively to live music: Apparel Red (red as the red light when the recording is on). The new section of the Italian imprint is the missing piece in its puzzle - be it a live act, a band or just a live recording of a session, Apparel Red will be good-taste-home for it. The first artist to be featured on this new catalogue is Haruna Kuyateh and his Kora Foo EP.
Haruna Kuyateh was born in Gambia, the smallest nation in the African continent, and when he was a kid his grandfather gave him a little Kora (a stringed instrument used extensively in West Africa) and started teaching him to play it while his grandmother taught him to sing. After establishing himself in Libya, working hard to pay for boat ticket, Haruna emigrated to Italy, where he plays music on the streets, teaching Kora and featuring in different musical projects that make both traditional music and a very mixed genre that is difficult to categorize.
Transmitting centuries old stories and traditions, Haruna is accomplishing his mission and this EP is a special mark that expresses his talent to new audiences. Composed of the original song and the instrumental version, both mixed by Tuccillo and mastered by Lopazz, Kora Foo is an unconventional record that conveys sound textures that are unique. Available on bandcamp.
“ Haruna Kuyateh is a ‘griot’, therefore music is something that comes from within himself, it’s his weapon, he doesn’t play for profit! But what’s a griot? African culture has always been handed down orally rather than in written form and the griots are those who have the very important task of transmitting stories, knowledge and culture.”