Music collective Africa Express have announced news of their debut album Maison Des Jeunes, recorded during a recent trip to Mali. 

The week-long sessions - led by Damon Albarn and featuring Brian Eno, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner, members of Metronomy and Django Django, Holy Other, Lil Silva, Cid Rim, Two Inch Punch - saw the western artists collaborate with local Malian musicans including Adama Koita, Bijou, Doucoura, Gambari , Kankou Kouyaté, Lobi Traoré Band, Moussa Traoré, Songhoy Blues, Talbi, Tiemoko Sogodogo and the Yacuba Sissoko Band. 

Africa Express began in 2006 with a trip to Mali, when co-founder Damon Albarn took the likes of Fatboy Slim, Martha Wainwright and Jamie T to work with African legends such as Toumani Diabate, Salif Keita, Amadou & Mariam and Bassekou Kouyate.  Last year a week-long train tour of the UK, with more than 100 artists taking part, captured global headlines. Hailed as the most revolutionary force in popular music for two decades, the events and recordings bring together musicians from different cultures, genres and generations to break boundaries and offer a new perspective on Africa and its music.

RFB will be hosting the album launch event on 9th December at Oval Space and will feature debut UK performances by Songhoy Blues and Kankou Kouyaté, together with special guests and DJ sets from Ghostpoet, Olugbenga and David Maclean - plus the UK premiere of the film documenting Africa Express’ 2012 train tour. More information is available here. 

Listen to Songhoy Blues - 'Soubour' below.