NenaHalena, Wassolou Benkain - Hail From Mali

NenaHalena makes his debut on Get Physical Music with a release that sits at the intersection of heritage, rhythm and modern house. A long-standing figure in electronic music, he is known for his deep connection to percussion and his ability to blend Afro-Brazilian rhythms with classic house and techno influences. His distinctive, rhythm-driven sound has found a home on labels such as Armada, One Tribe Records, Redolent, Sol Selectas and Stil Vor Talent, establishing him as an artist with a strong musical identity rooted in groove and performance.

On this release, NenaHalena collaborates with Wassolou Benkain, a traditional ensemble from Mali whose music is deeply rooted in the Wassolou region. The group’s sound centres around instruments such as the ngoni, a traditional West African harp-like instrument, alongside rich vocal tones and communal percussion. The musicians are farmers who gather to perform traditional songs for weddings, celebrations and for the joy of playing together, carrying forward a musical lineage often described as one of the foundations of blues, funk, disco, RnB and ultimately house music itself.

‘Hail From Mali’ grew from NenaHalena’s discovery of the ensemble through a video shared online by Alex Ngoni, who documents musicians from the region. Drawn immediately to the infectious groove of the ngoni and the expressive vocal delivery, NenaHalena reached out to turn that first encounter into a true collaboration, bringing the traditional performance into a contemporary house context while respecting its origins. As he puts it: “This was a love at first sight/listen situation. That infectious funk feeling had me in an instant. I was so pleased when Alex Ngoni was happy to collaborate on it. We need to shine more light on these amazing musicians hailing from Mali.”

Musically, ‘Hail From Mali’ is driven by a house-leaning Afro groove that feels organic, warm and deeply rhythmic. A catchy vocal phrase anchors the track, unfolding naturally alongside layers of traditional percussion and string instruments. Rather than reshaping the source material into a conventional Afro House framework, the production lets the inherent funk and swing of the original performance shine through. The result feels instinctive and grounded, where traditional musicianship and electronic club sensibility meet on equal terms.

‘Hail From Mali’ is both a dancefloor record and a cultural bridge, celebrating the roots of rhythm while presenting them in a form that speaks directly to modern house music audiences.