Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Nick Zinner to feature on new Africa Express release, ‘Terry Riley’s In C Mali’

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Terry Riley’s seminal ‘In C Major’ piece, Africa Express has announced plans to release a new 41-minute, extended version of the work.

The organisation - featuring musicians from across the continent, alongside big names such as Damon Albarn, Brian Eno and Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs - will release ‘Africa Express Presents… Terry Riley’s In C Mali’ on 26th January via Transgressive. Produced by Mouse on Mars’ Andi Toma, a five minute snippet of the full version is streaming below.

Earlier this month, ‘In C’ was performed by Africa Express for a one-off performance at the Turbine Gallery in London’s Tate Modern. The performance was recorded for an interactive film, which is set to launch on 27th November.

In response to the piece, Terry Riley himself has stated: “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 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. I could not ask for a greater gift for this daughter’s 50th birthday.”