This week I wanted to try something a little different for the Vibe of the Week.
I’ve recently found myself getting back into reading after picking up an old Gen 4 Kindle — and eventually treating myself to a newer model. For years I struggled to get into the flow of reading, but something about the Kindle just clicked. It’s now a regular part of my routine — especially on work breaks or during quieter moments when I want a clean mental escape.
The book that’s been capturing my attention lately is Chasing the Devil by Tim Butcher. It’s an atmospheric piece of travel writing, tracing a journey on foot through Sierra Leone and Liberia, following in the footsteps of Graham Greene’s 1930s expedition. I’d read Butcher’s Blood River years ago and loved it, so this felt like the perfect next step.
📚 Chasing the Devil: A Journey Through West Africa
The book takes you deep into the heart of West Africa — not just geographically, but emotionally and historically. Butcher retraces a path through countries still scarred by civil war, colonialism, and neglect. The writing is sharp, immersive, and respectful. It never feels like a travel brag — it’s more like a walk through history, tension, and resilience, with open eyes.
Reading it reminded me how powerful travel writing can be when it’s done right. It puts you in places you’ve never been, and might never go — just like great music can.
Which led me to this week’s West African music playlist.
🎧 The Sound: West African Music Playlist
I’ve never been to West Africa, and until recently, I didn’t know much about its music scene either. So I started simple — searching “music from Sierra Leone” and “West African blues”. What I found was incredibly rich, deep, and varied.
This West African music playlist brings together a range of moods and textures — from the hypnotic desert guitar of Ali Farka Touré’s Savane to the soulful energy of Dobet Gnahoré’s Desert. There’s a warm, rhythmic pulse running through it all, whether it’s the infectious groove of Wande Coal’s Iskaba or the slow-burning depth of Samba Touré’s Wo Yende Alakar. It’s the kind of playlist that adds atmosphere without demanding attention — ideal for reading, reflecting, or just letting the world slow down for a while.
It’s the kind of playlist that doesn’t demand attention — but fills the room with atmosphere.
🥃 The Drink: Dark & Stormy (Wax Waves Fireline Edition)
To complete the ritual, I pulled together a drink that feels right for the mood: smoky, spicy, and a little wild — just like the book and the soundtrack.
Dark & Stormy – Fireline Edition
- 50ml navy spiced rum
- 100–150ml ginger ale
- Squeeze of fresh lime
- 1 bruised bay leaf (infused in the rum)
- 1 smoked rosemary sprig (as garnish or stirrer)
- Ice
- Optional: cracked black pepper or singed citrus peel for extra jungle smoke energy
It’s earthy, warm, and easy to make with things you might already have. More than just a drink — it becomes part of the experience.
🌍 Escape in Three Layers
So that’s this week’s West African music playlist — paired with an incredible book and a cocktail to tie it all together. If you’ve been feeling stuck in the usual listening or reading loops, I highly recommend giving this a shot.
Sometimes it only takes three things — a book, a soundtrack, and a drink — to step completely outside your world.
Check out our other Vibe of the Week features for more musical discoveries. We keep it diverse in genre, geography, and tone — always aiming to offer something human, real, and far from the algorithm.
Until next time,
