Sidiki Camara – “Ankaben”: Where West African Rhythms Meet Norwegian Jazz
The world is quite crazy these days, you open the news, there’s fire, you go online, there’s fight, trolling and division, I mean it’s quite exhausting that you can’t even find one peaceful moment in the world when you think about it. It seems like everybody is standing on opposite sides of a giant fence, shouting as loud as they can without listening to a word anyone else says. You sit back and wish people would just slow down, share a meal, and remember that we all live on the same little rock drifting through space, but no, people would rather fight over and break bones than to accept we all humans and we all the same irrespective of idealogies and locations.
That deep, soothing feeling of human connection propels “Ankaben”, the new 10-track album by Oslo-based percussionist Sidiki Camara. The album title which translates directly to “Humanity,” pairs traditional West African rhythms with Norwegian jazz, fiddle tunes, and smooth acoustic instrumentation. What I love about this album is that it was recorded live at Rainbow Studios in Oslo, where Camara brought together a star team of musicians to prove that music can bridge any cultural gap and it’s also one of the tools that actually unite us!
See “Ankaben” is such a delight to listen to, thanks to its rich, completely organic recording environment. The instruments are incredible, and nothing feels cheap, neither has it got any synthetic loops hiding in its production. I must say Camara really did a magnificent job with how he set up a vibrant rhythm section driven by hand percussion, wooden tones, and deep basslines. Then he got guitarist Jacob Young, bassist Audun Erlien, and saxophonist Bendik Hofseth to layer sweet jazz textures over the top of them beautiful, soothing West African grooves.
It’s that rich man, but it didn’t end there, with fiddle added from Erik Sollid alongside vocals from Unni Løvlid and Sarah Camille, they gave the album a cool, open-air acoustic energy, that vibrant and enjoyable even if you don’t understand the language. I love the way the instruments weave around each other naturally through spontaneous jam sessions and live recording takes. Every drum tap snaps with wooden warmth, the bass notes hum gently, and the horn lines float over the top without ever overwhelming the core rhythms. With 13 tracks, the album takes you on an international journey through folk, jazz, and traditional Manding rhythms.
The title track “Ankaben” gives listeners a welcome note with rolling percussion and warm guitar picking, the a horn sweeps in with some beautiful melody here and there as the song takes shape. It’s a beautiful song about universal humanity, reminding us that no matter where we come from, we share the same basic human heart. We all bleed blood, we all have the same human parts, so why the division? I love the traded verse between the lead vocal and that sweet female vocal, it’s really an interesting piece that opens the album.
Then we get to “Slow Diarabi“, where things unfold gently and at a relaxed pace, this song highlights soft vocal melodies and tender acoustic strumming. One thing about the album that I love and will probably keep saying is it’s rich instrumentation. It’s soo refreshing and smooth, it calms, rings softly and let’s you immerse yourself in its atmosphere. It’s a song about patient love, reminding listeners that the sweetest connections in life take time to grow. And I kinda agree, a love that matures over time will always transcend normal months and years.
“Tolerance” then slides in with a steady drum groove and a smooth saxophone lead from Bendik Hofseth. It’s a track that brings a cool jazz vibe. It’s one of the tracks many of you will enjoy, you can clap along the beats and enjoy dancing with it. It delivers a clear, thoughtful message about opening your mind, respecting different viewpoints, and choosing peace over anger. On this track “Lalikan”, spoken word poetry and soaring vocal harmonies take the spotlight over a bouncy percussion rhythm. It’s sweet track about listening to the quiet wisdom of nature and honoring the stories passed down by our ancestors. But these days, it seems most are getting lost, people don’t even have time to tap into this knowledge left behind, but it was the very thing that made us who we are today.
“Nakan” features a crisp fiddle work from Erik Sollid over a driving acoustic bassline, this song bridges Nordic folk with West African beats. I love the build up in this track, it takes it time to massage you with sweat melodies, before the vocal lands. It speaks on personal destiny, encouraging people to walk their own paths without fear. As I always say live life the way you want it without being overly concerned about what people may think or say.
This track “Baba Dramé” is traditional melody reimagined with lively guitars and rapid hand drumming. It’s a song that asks to show gratitude and respect to great mentors who teach us how to navigate the hard moments in life. It’s difficult doing life alone, so when you have someone that actually helps and direct you, you’ve gotta appreciate them! “Diarabi” is a faster, more upbeat version of the earlier love theme packed with energetic horn lines and sharp percussion hits. It’s a joyful track about celebrating romance, friendship, and the happiness found in true companionship.
On “Lys” which translates to “Light,” this quiet track relies on soft guitar chords and gentle percussion taps. It’s an uplifting track about finding a small ray of hope during dark, challenging times. For where there’s light darkness flee, and even the smalls hint of light in a full dark room, gives hope. So always look for the light when the struggles come, knowing that it’s never permanent. “Kantolon” brings in rich bass grooves and interlocking guitar patterns, a funky rhythm section and a vibrant atmosphere. The track speaks on community strength, showing how much more we can achieve when we pool our talents together.
“My time” closes the album on a reflective, peaceful note led by soft sax melodies and rhythmic hand drums. It’s hopeful and asks you to own your present moment, embrace your personal journey, and leave a positive footprint behind. Man! This is a true masterpiece by Sidiki Camara, he has given us a cross-cultural art with “Ankaben”. It’s a warm, masterfully recorded album that proves real music and human togetherness can still shine a bright light in a dark world. Wanna enjoy some of the best melodies and African rhythms, with organic percussion, smooth acoustic jazz, and uplifting international folk music? Then go stream this album “Ankaben” and have a blast!
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