The three brothers Djiby, Cheik and Aliou Guissé originate from the
Fouta Tooro area in the North of Senegal. Their music is based on
different rhythms of the Toucouleur, such as the Yela, but the Guissé
brothers prefer saying that their music is universal, for all ages and
races.
Beautiful and sensitive and well rooted in the traditions of West
Africa. Poetic lyrics and close harmony singing, two acoustic guitars
and a variety of percussion.
With two acoustic guitars and a djembé, the three Guissé brothers
mesmerize all the audiences they meet. Djiby's and Cheikh's voices
swirl around the melodic guitar lines whilst Alioune quietly plays his
percussions.
The story of the band began in 1988, when the brothers decided to start
an acoustic venture. Djiby was fed up with electronic keyboards, and
with the all-electric approach of the bands he'd played with so far:
"We found it necessary to be self-sufficient, we needed a personal
touch, an original sound", says Djiby.
Their songs call to mind the difficulties of daily life, youngsters'
problems. "We put the emphasis on the melodies even though we know that
Senegalese audiences react more to rhythms. In our music, guitars stick
closely to the voices, and we just play what we feel."
