TRACK LISTING
1. ROKHAYA 4:39
2. BÉTIYATA 5:33
3. SARGAL (intro) :34
4. SARGAL 3:20
5. N’KANUNTÉ 5:18
6. ANSOUMANA 5:27
7. N’DIMMA (intro) :18
8. N’DIMMA 4:51
9. SORA TATA 4:11
10. SADIER 7:30
11. KORATANGO 3:40
12. LA FEMME 4:08
Recorded at Goethe Institute Paris, France
Produced by Volker Goetze
RELEASE INFORMATION
SARGAL
Singles drop April 11 & May 9
MANDINGO KORA MASTER ALI BOULO SANTO CISSOKO JOINS TRUMPETER/PRODUCER VOLKER GOETZE & SPECIAL GUEST MINO CINELU ON SARGAL
Bridging West African Mandingo Music with Jazz
A celebration of family, tradition, and musical innovation.
New York, NY – June 6, 2025 – New York-based trumpeter/producer Volker Goetze and Senegalese kora master/innovator Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko are set to release SARGAL, a duo album featuring the legendary percussionist Mino Cinélu (Miles Davis, Weather Report) as guest artist.
Recorded in Paris at the Goethe Institut in 2021, Sargal captures the magic of a first-time musical meeting between two boundary-pushing artists.
A POWERFUL MUSICAL LEGACY, REIMAGINED
Goetze first rose to prominence in world music with his collaborations with Ablaye Cissoko—Ali Boulo’s brother—on the albums SIRA and AMANKE DIONTE, which earned international praise and over 35 million streams. His award-winning documentary GRIOT captured the spiritual depth of Mandinke music, introducing the tradition to new global audiences.
In 2021, a serendipitous encounter led Goetze to meet Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko. Described as “born with a kora in his hands,” Ali is one of the most refined artists of his generation, combining tradition with fearless innovation. He was the first to plug a kora into a wah-wah pedal, and has performed with Trilok Gurtu, Manu Dibango, Angelique Kidjo, and Youssou N’Dour. A djembe virtuoso and orchestral composer, Ali is a visionary with perfect pitch and limitless harmonic imagination.
“Ali is a rare musician,” says Goetze. “He has mastered his family’s complex traditions while authentically absorbing many other West African and Western styles.”
"Sargal creates its own modern musical universe departing from two distinct worlds: the timeless kora traditions of Africa and the boundless universe of jazz. It is a spiritual and therapeutic journey that dissolves boundaries and celebrates the shared human experience. In its heartfelt forms, art has the power to connect us all." - Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko
**FROM SARGAL TO FLAMENKORA: A NEW SOUND EMERGES**
During the pandemic, Goetze studied Maqam and Flamenco scales with Spanish master Enrique Vargas. That led to the composition of the album’s final track, "Koratango," which sparked the idea for their next project, the acclaimed trio Flamenkora (Motéma, 2023), adding guitarist Roberto Monteiro. The trio has toured across Germany, Austria, Prague, Budapest, France, and Senegal, with plans to record again at the Paul Manship Artists Residency in the USA.
SARGAL: A Celebration of Gratitude and Connection
The Wolof word Sargal, meaning "to thank," is the album’s guiding theme. Every track is an expression of gratitude—to family, tradition, and the human spirit.
Highlights include:
"Rokhaya" – Stirring rhythms rooted in love and resilience
"Koratango" – A flamenco-infused bridge to new traditions
"Sadier" – A meditative tribute to respect and legacy
"N’dimma" – A sincere call for honesty
"Betiyata" – An emotional journey through familial love and vulnerability
“With Sargal, we aim to honor the legacies of those who came before us while opening doors for future generations,” says Volker Goetze.
“This album is a celebration of life, family, and the resilience of the human spirit,” adds Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko.
**MEET THE ARTISTS**
Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko (Kora, Vocals)
A virtuoso and modern griot, Ali carries the legacy of his uncle Soundioulou Cissokho, the "King of the Kora." Known for blending Mandingo traditions with Senegalese and Western influences, he’s collaborated with Youssou N’Dour, Omar Sosa, Tony Allen, and others. His innovative approach has expanded the kora's reach and cultural power.
Volker Goetze (Flugelhorn)
Award-winning trumpeter, composer, and filmmaker, Goetze is recognized for blending jazz with global musical traditions. He’s known for his cross-cultural work with Ablaye Cissoko, including SIRA and the acclaimed film Griot. His recent project Little Big Top with Guy Klucevsek and his internationally celebrated Flamenkora release demonstrate his ongoing exploration of global musical fusion. For more info, visit: volkergoetze.com
Special Guest: Mino Cinelu (Percussion)
Legendary multi-instrumentalist Mino Cinelu has shaped modern music through groundbreaking collaborations with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Sting, and more. A multiple Grammy-winner, his global fusion style brings a vibrant energy to Sargal, appearing on three of the album's tracks.
Media Contacts
US – Motéma Music: info@motema.com
Germany – Qrious PR, Marcel Westphall: mw@qrious.de
France – Stéphane Papinot: stephane.papinot@gmail.com