Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist Sidiki Camara will release his new album Ankaben on September 4, 2026, following a lead single on August 21. The album, whose title translates to “Humanity,” is described as Camara’s most ambitious project to date and brings together West African musical traditions with Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary music.
Ankaben follows Camara’s 2023 Spellemannprisen win for Return to the Traditions and continues his long-standing commitment to cultural dialogue through music. The project reflects his belief that sound can create connection across borders, languages and genres, offering an alternative to division and conflict.
For the album, Camara is joined by a strong Norwegian ensemble featuring Bendik Hofseth on saxophone, Unni Løvlid on vocals, Sarah Camille on vocals and spoken word, Erik Sollid on fiddle, Jacob Young on guitar, Audun Erlien on bass and Eirik Askerøi on guitar. The music grew out of the performance Sidiki Camara // A Life in Music, which debuted at Oslo World in 2024.
The ensemble recorded the album at Rainbow Studios in Oslo in June 2026, with mixing and mastering handled by Martin Abrahamsen. Camara has said that Ankaben is about meeting across genres and cultures through mutual respect and spontaneous creation, calling it a reflection of his life’s journey through sound.
An album launch concert will take place on October 18, 2026, at Cosmopolite Scene in Oslo. With Ankaben, Camara continues to build a musical bridge between Mali and Norway, carrying a message of humanity, togetherness and joy to audiences beyond national and cultural boundaries.