School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Pieces of Africa

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

In 1992 Pieces of Africa was released, an album of works that the Kronos Quartet had commissioned from seven African composers. The four string players play violin, viola and cello, and also play the akete. In addition, guest musicians are heard on kora, mbira, tar, oud and bendir, among other instruments, and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir sings along. Judith Sherman produced the album.

AllMusic wrote that the quartet avoids cultural appropriation and that the album is full of charming melodies, making it one of the group's most accessible and best projects. Gramophone considered only Escalay and White Man Sleeps successful compositions for string quartet. In 2024 the Library of Congress added the album to the National Recording Registry, because it is culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen in Escalay, one of the two pieces that Gramophone found successful, to how four string players together carry a single composition.

Track list

  1. 1Mai Nozipo ("Mother Nozipo")6:59Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Saade ("I'm Happy") [Realized by Itaal Shur and Richard Horowitz]3:21Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Tilliboyo ("Sunset")4:21Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Ekitundu Ekisooka ("First Movement")5:37Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Escalay ("Waterwheel") [Realized by Tohru Ueda]12:17Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Wawshishijay ("Our Beginning") [Realized by Chris Baum]4:51Apple Music ↗
  7. 7White Man Sleeps: I. –4:04Apple Music ↗
  8. 8White Man Sleeps: II. –5:08Apple Music ↗
  9. 9White Man Sleeps: III. –3:28Apple Music ↗
  10. 10White Man Sleeps: IV. –6:20Apple Music ↗
  11. 11White Man Sleeps: V. –3:28Apple Music ↗
  12. 12Kutambarara ("Spreading")7:10Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs