How did Planetary Coalition’s Africa-inspired tunes come into shape? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the first practice duet of Alex Skolnickand Mali’s famed kora player Yacouba Sissoko, and a background of the man who lent his voice to the tracks “Alla La’ke” and “Back to the Land.”

While the inspiration for “Alla La’ke” came during this afternoon practice session, “Back to the Land” is a melody Alex had composed back in 2012 and wanted to infuse some authentic African instrumental music and voice as well, which Yacouba made possible.