Yasmin Williams – Urban Driftwood

Virginia-native Yasmin Williams is part of a new generation of guitarists expanding on the American Primitive traditions pioneered by artists like John Fahey, Robbie Basho, Leo Kottke, Jack Rose, Glenn Jones, and Sandy Bull. The songs on her sophomore LP Urban Driftwood were composed during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of the national uprising of Black Lives Matter protests. The album combines Williams’ virtuosic fingerstyle techniques and lap-tapping with kora, kalimba, and hand drums from Amadou Kouyate, a 150th generation djeli of the Kouyate family, along with cello from Taryn Wood. It’s an emotional listen that calls to tranquility and natural beauty while also reckoning with the persistence of white supremacy and political unrest. Highly recommended for fans of Hayden Pedigo and Barry Archie Johnson.