Search - SWAY MACHINERY feat. Khaira Arby :: The House of Friendly Ghosts Vol. 1

In January 2010, the Sway Machinery traveled to one of the most remote music festivals in the world, the Festival in the Desert, in Timbuktu, Mali. This record documents their remarkable journey and collaborations with masters of Malian music. Chronicling the Sway Machinery's journey to the festival and subsequent collaboration with Malian singer Khaira Arby, the album explores the ideas of diaspora, pilgrimage and spirituality by pulling together an array of content including Arby's songs, singer Jeremiah Lockwood's compositions and field recordings captured along the way. While at the remote festival gathering, the band performed with numerous Tuareg ensembles and watched as its broad base of influences meshed with those of some of the region's most crucial artists. The Sway Machinery consists of Jeremiah Lockwood (guitar and vocals), Stuart Bogie (tenor saxophone), Jordan McLean (trumpet), John Bollinger (drums), Colin Stetson (bass saxophone). In addition to Arby, whose voice is featured prominently, The House of Friendly Ghosts, Vol.1 includes a diverse selection of special guests including original Super Rail Band guitarist Djelimady Tounkara, rising star Vieux Farka Toure, souko (one-string violin) master Zoumana Tereta, Gao-based Takamba bandSuper 11, as well as Sway Machinery's extended Brooklyn family of Matt Bauder, Kenny Warren and Rich Stein. CD comes in a unique hardcover 80-page book, featuring photos from Mali, essays on the project, and lyrics.