Djansa

Zansa is led by 33rd generation musician Adama Dembele from Ivory Coast, West Africa. The sound is a blend of traditional and modern afropop and afrofolk music, with touches of zouglou music (an urban dance music started in Abidjan, Ivory Coast) thrown in the mix. Robust and rhythmic, melodic and smooth, the music is rooted in the West African drumming tradition Dembele was born into and blended with modern instrumentation and song forms. The djembe leads the rhythmic component, while the violin plays a particularly unique role as a lead melodic instrument, echoing the soku, a one-string predecessor that originated in Mali. Electric guitar, bass, percussion, and drum set help bring traditional sounds to contemporary ears. Zansa's debut effort, Djansa, offers songs inspired by Dembele's homeland and sung in French, Bambara and Baoule dialects, and English. Tolon tells the legend of an ancient West African hunter, while Sira Lon Balia sings about finding one's path in life. Themes of love and understanding permeate throughout the album with songs like Mi Wa and Walk Away. This cultural and sonic mix lends familiarity to foreign sounds, producing an original take on the authentic music of West Africa. Song Descriptions: (note: complete lyrics and translations are available with CD purchase, or upon request: zansamusic@gmail.com) 1. Tinge: Morning wake up song. Whatever you have to do today, get up and do it. 2. Cohco: There is a time and place for everything. 3. Mi Wa: A song about faraway love 4. Thirst: Are you thirsty brother? 5. Jahili: A song about communication and responsibility 6. Tolon: Celebrational welcoming song, tells the story of Donsson the hunter 7. Fama: Introduction/welcoming song 8. Walk Away: Treat people how you want to be treated 9. Sira Lon Balia: Finding your way 10. Djansa: Dance! 11. Tinge Reprise: interlude 12. Krin Song: We are all fish out of the water.