Master drummer Diom De Kossa was born in Toufinga, a small village in the northwest of Ivory Coast. In the beginning in addition to his musical activities - playing at local festivities and ceremonies - De Kossa still held a job as coffee picker, but soon his exceptional talent was also noticed at national level and he became a regular member of the National Ballet of Ivory Coast. Since then Diom has relocated to Norway, where he's been living and working for three decades now. On 'Wasso' De Kossa is supported by his regular band mates Kenneth Ekornes (drums and percussion) and Olav Torget (guitar, ngoni and vocals), supplemented with Brazilian newcomer Tiago Machado (bass and vocals). 'Wasso' opens with 'Djédjé Ayoka', a tribute to Ernesto Djédjé, the king of ziglibithy. The guitar playing of Olav Torget in 'Djinnan', a supplication to the spirits, reminded us of the work of guitarist Carlos Santana, and that same guitar also prominently features in other tracks on 'Wasso', but always in dialogue with Diom's percussion rhythms. Highly recommended discovery for amateurs of West African music.