SOBA (Burkina Faso / Congo / France)

SOBA is a collaboration between singer and guitarist Moussa Koita of Burkina Faso, French harmonica virtuoso Vincent Bucher, and Congolese percussionist Émile Biayenda. Their sound bridges continents and centuries, evoking the ancestral pulse of West Africa alongside the raw, soul-baring spirit of the Mississippi Delta. The group’s name—SOBA, meaning “big house” in Dioula—symbolizes a musical home built on friendship and shared heritage. Over six years of collaboration, the trio developed a luminous Afro-blues sound that’s both rustic and emotionally resonant, as captured in their debut album Fiman. Each member contributes a distinct voice: Koita’s poetic songwriting, Bucher’s expressive harmonica, and Biayenda’s fusion of jazz and traditional Congolese rhythms.

Featured Song:

“I Kanata” is a plaintive and uplifting song that blends earthy groove with soaring melodic energy. Sung in Mandinka, it explores themes of perseverance, longing, and emotional resilience in the face of life’s uncertainties. Set to a hypnotic rhythm and punctuated by jubilant harmonica bursts, the song calls for connection and hope: “My love, let’s find our place... joy is still possible.” It’s a soulful anthem for moving forward, together.

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