Africa Express Presents... Terry Riley's In C Mali

Consisting of 53 musical phrases repeated in sequence at the musicians' discretion, the beautifully simple, highly rhythmic structure of Terry Riley's In C enables endless possibilities for re-interpretation. This imaginative 50th anniversary recording was led by genre-defying conductor André de Ridder. Recorded in Bamako, Mali with a cast of local musicians, the hypnotic album-length piece calls on collaborators like Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, Brian Eno, and Damon Albarn. The insistent pulse is perfectly suited to the traditional West African instruments—including the silvery kora and xylophone-like balafon—proving that Riley’s work remains equally relevant and entrancing as it continues to evolve. "This ensemble feeds the piece with ancient threads of musical wisdom and humanity,” Riley says of the recording. “It indicates to me that this work is a vessel ready to be shaped by the spontaneous feelings and colors of the magician/musician."