CD ‘Liingu’
Mark Lotz Meets Omar Ka • A Fula's Call
Mark Lotz unites with Iranian percussionist Afra Mussawisade and vocalist Omar Ka, from the banks of the Niger. Ka, a member of the West African Fula nomadic tribe, shares lyrics that reflect their culture. A Fula’s Call blends Fula music with a jazzy ‘EurAfrican’ sound, creating a fusion of West African and jazz influences. The album became a hit on Francophone radio.
“This is what the world needs – honest, organic, natural collaborations where heart meets sound. ‘DELIGHTFUL, ROBUST, STRONG, and a host of other adjectives I’d ascribe to this beautiful release. It is a powerful moment to surrender to what the music wants [to be].” (KBCS, D. DeCarlo, USA)
“Paris watch out, one of the finest contemporary West African CDs came out of The Netherlands.”
(World Music Central, USA)
“Fantastic Fulani Fusion. A stellar example of acoustic global fusion from artists at the top of their game.” (Spin The Globe, USA)
Omar Ka (vocals, guitar, Riti/Fula violin)
Afra Mussawisade (percussion)
Raphael Vanoli (guitars)
Mark Lotz (flutes, Bansuri)
Sandip Battacharrya (vocals, tabla)
Mustapha Znaida (sentir)
Sebastian Pott (thumb piano)
Sonic Squid Music
Catalogue number 2024.09
(Former LopLop Records 2007 release, catalogue number Llr-022)
Recorded by Afra Mussawisade January and June 2007 at Studio Smederij, the Netherlands
Mixed and mastered by R. Kobialka, Cologne
Produced by Mark Lotz & Afra Mussawisade
Jazzenzo, Rinus van der Heijden, The Netherlands
“You do not need words to understand what every individium tells you on this penetrating album. Mark Lotz and his musicians are knitting one juwel after the other here. Everything falls on its place with this pure pearl.”
Mixite, the Netherlands
“The tracks take you along. Almost floating on the Niger. Especially the track which lasts 10 minutes brings you into ecstasy.”
Spin The Globe, USA
“Fantastic Fulani Fusion. A stellar example of acoustic global fusion from artists at the top of their game.”
World Music Central, USA
“Paris watch out, one of the finest contemporary West African CDs came out of The Netherlands. An exciting blend of Fula Music with … .”
Africa News, Tontonjovo
“The recently released cd Liingu is the result of this perfect mix of the best that different cultures have to offer. Everybody should listen to. The tracks make you travel, almost floating on the river Niger.”
Fly Global Music Magazine, UK
“Excellently sequenced and mixed it is extremely satisfying experience from start to finish.”
KIPO, Hawai Public Radio, Lilian Tsang
“I love the album’s energy and the musicianship is top-notch. I was so impressed with the release that it made the 1 spot on my monthly report to NAR.”
Jazz.com, Tomas Pena, USA
“It’s a very unique and beautiful sound. Omar’s voice is absolutely haunting. A Fula’s Call demonstrates what happens when people cast their cultural differences aside and join forces for a common cause.”
Latin jazz Network, USA
“A Fula’s Call, an astonishingly beautiful recording that seamlessly weaves music with tales of the nomadic life, the walk to Mecca, peace, harmony, happiness, truth, honesty justice and the horrors of war.”
ZunZun Magazine, France
“The intonations of Senegal, Iran, Europe and India intermingles into a music sensitive peacefuly federated in the jazz of today.”
Dagblad Trouw, Armand Serpenti, The Netherlands
“Four world class musicians.”
Fluit, Mia Dreese, the Netherlands
“Liingu is very alternating, with no dul moment – no chance to sit still anymore. Wonderful creative music!”
Moorsmagazine, the Netherlands
“Adventurous world fusion. … . Splendid, splendid!”
KBCS, D. DeCarlo, USA
“This is what the world needs – honest, organic, natural collaborations where heart meets sound. ‘DELIGHTFUL, ROBUST, STRONG, and a host of other adjectives I’d ascribe to this beautiful release. It is a powerful moment to surrender to what the music wants [to be].”
Jazzism, Remco Taken, rated five stars, the Netherlands
“Here it happens! What a glittering Dutch production! A Fula’s Call is a coherent mix of cultures. .. the result is more than a mix of just being guests of each other … self exceeding … happily … splendid … masterful …”
Mazzmuzika (former Rootsworld)
“A CD as strong as iron. … sounds breathtaking!”
Financial Times, David Honigmann, UK
“Somehow, each component retains its crunchy identity.”
Folker Magazin, Claudia Frenzel, Germany
“Without appearing artificial they unit different musical worlds with great ease to a design that fits no prefixed drawer.”
Jazzflitz.nl, Frank Huser, the Netherlands
“Liingu is so appealing by it’s honesty of the music and it’s cosmopolitical character. A special album, listening to it a lot, giving you ever more perspectives.”
