GORDON KOANG
ethnic redemption
GORDON KOANK (SOUTH SUDAN)
"UNITY"
MUSIC IN EXILE - 2020
Release date; August 14, 2020
Musicians:
Gordon Koang - vocals, thom (Sudanese rhythmic and melodic stringed instrument)
Paul Biel Kueth - djembe (percussion)
Stefan Blair - piano
James Mannix - drums, percussion
Paul Ceraso - drums
Liam Parsons - bass
Tracklist:
01 Asylum Seeker 2:52
02 Stand Up (Clap Your Hands) 4:42
03 Kone Ke Ran 6:50
04 South Sudan 8:05
05 Mal Mi Goa 7:50
06 Y Dah 8:55
07 Tiel e Nei Nywal Ke Ran (We Don't Have a Problem With Anyone) 3:48
08 Te Ke Mi Thile Ji Kuoth Nhial 5:27

"Unity" is not only the first album that Gordon Koang publishes since 2014 he took refuge in Australia from his native South Sudan, fleeing the bloody civil war in his country and the murder of the people of his Nuer tribe. After ten albums published with only regional repercussions, this new album is a cry against injustice and persecution in his land, but it's also his presentation as an artist at an international level. Blind from birth, Gordon Koang once again puts the Central African area of the Sahel as an unavoidable route in the search for the African roots of the blues. Labeled "desert blues", Koang's music navigates syncopated harmonic structures over which he recites his proclamations until he hypnotizes the listener in a magnetic journey of rhythms and cadences. Hill Country Desert songs.
09/14/2020