Seprewa Kasa - Seprewa Kasa (World Music Network)

The kora deservedly occupies a special place in the affections of fans of African music. In the hands of a master such as Toumani Diabate, Foday Musa Suso or Ballake Sissoko, the crisp sound of this 21 string instrument is exquisite and unmistakable. With Seprewa Kasa musician Kari Banaman (Osibisa) is doing his best to introduce listeners to the sound of the kora's largely forgotten Ghanaian cousin the seprewa, as played by two of its foremost exponents Osei Korankye and Baffour Kyerematen. Lacking the brightness of the kora, the ten-stringed seprewa sounds warmer, more earthy than ethereal. It is easy to see how the seprewa might have become eclipsed by the guitar as the dominant instrument during the evolution of highlife. Even here, on a recording intended to restore its place in Ghanaian music, the seprewa's acoustics are frequently overwhelmed by the guitar, vocals and percussion. Nevertheless, I'm happy to play lost and found and make a little room in my heart for this ancient stringed instrument.