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Pitchfork NOVEMBER 18, 2014 - by Evan Minsker

AFRICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCE TERRY RILEY'S IN C MALI FEATURING DAMON ALBUM, BRIAN ENO, NICK ZINNER

Marking the fiftieth anniversary of Riley's iconic piece.

It was fifty years ago this month when Terry Riley's iconic minimalist composition In C received its world premiere. To mark the anniversary, Africa Express - the organisation that brings together musicians from multiple cultures, continents, and genres - will release an album featuring their forty-one-minute version of the piece.

Africa Express Presents... Terry Riley's In C Mali is out digitally on November 24 and physically on January 26 via Transgressive. It was co-produced and mixed by Mouse On Mars' Andi Toma.

In addition to several artists from Bamako, Mali, the album features contributions from Africa Express mainstays Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner. Find the full list of contributors below.

Earlier this month, Africa Express presented a one-off performance of In C on the Bridge of the Turbine Gallery at Tate Modern. It was recorded for an interactive film, which will launch here on November 27.

In a statement, Riley said of the new album:

"I am overwhelmed and delighted by this CD. I was not quite prepared for such an incredible journey, hearing the soul of Africa in joyous flight over those fifty-three 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. I could not ask for a greater gift for this daughter's fiftieth birthday."

The collective's most recent album Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes was released late last year. It also featured Albarn, Eno, and Zinner.

Performers: Adama Koita: Kamel N'goni / Alou Coulibaly: Calabash / André de Ridder: Violin, Baritone-guitar, Kalimba / Badou Mbaye: Djembe, Percussion / Brian Eno, Bijou, Olugbenga: Vocals / Cheick Diallo: Flutes / Damon Albarn: Melodica / Defily Sako, Modibo Diawara: Kora / Guindo Sala: Imzad / Kalifa Koné, Mémé Koné: Balafon / Nick Zinner, Jeff Wootton: Guitar