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Return to Gorée
Pierre-Yves Borgeaud
Axiom Films
A 2-Disc set, 2009
Youssou N'Dour is very well kown for many high-profile charitable health projects, notably 'Roll Back Malaria' in 2005 and the current 'Malaria No More' campaign. For Return to Gorée, Youssou set out to create a jazz repertoire for a concert in the infamous 'Slaves' House' on Gorée island off Senegal. The film relates how Youssou invited jazz and gospel musicians from several countries - Europe and USA - to perform with him. They include Moncef Genoud, Idris Muhammad, Pyeng Threadill and The Harmony Harmoneers.
The concept was for some of the world's great jazz and gospel muscians to travel and then perform a symbolic concert. The journey was an emotional and thrilling expeience for them and that is evident in the build-up and preparations for the concert. Each of them has great respect for the highly acclaimed musicianship of Youssou N'Dour. The film relates the history of slavery and the links between continents. One of the messages that comes across is that music is the first language.
The discs include the concert itself - which includes jazz-versions of Youssou's own songs - as well as interviews with the musicians who took part, expressing their feelings about the experience.