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In C Mali

I first heard Terry Riley's In C when I picked up a copy of the 25th anniversary performance on CD back in the late '90s. That version I admired rather than loved - at over 75 minutes' duration it just went on a little too long for my taste, and I seldom listened all the way though. The piece's opening 'theme' (if that's even the right word), hooked its way into me, however, and not infrequently comes back into my mind.

When I learned that a version had been recorded by a group of (mostly) Malian musicians around the time of the piece's 50th anniversary, under the umbrella of the Africa Express organisation co-founded by Damon Albarn, it immediately struck me as a great idea. Riley himself was reportedly delighted by it too, saying: "I was not quite prepared for such an incredible journey, hearing the soul of Africa in joyous flight over those 53 patterns of ‘In C’. This ensemble feeds the piece with ancient threads of musical wisdom and humanity indicating to me that this work is a vessel ready to receive and be shaped by the spontaneous feelings and colours of the magician/musician."

As Riley's comment suggests, the musicians don't adhere strictly to the score, adding improvisatory flourishes, and, at one point, vocals. At under 41 minutes in length, it's also more readily digestible than the old CD version I had. The tones and timbres of the contributing instruments fit the composition perfectly. There are some points, more so in the second half, where it can seem to meander a little aimlessly, but overall it's an unqualified delight. I have the limited-edition LP version of it.

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