*** Mamadou Diabate
TUNGA
(Alula)
This debut from a young Malian now
living in the US puts all kora players on notice with its vitality, scope, and
shimmering musicianship. Diabaté is a cousin of Toumani Diabaté,
perhaps the best living kora player, and they share the distinguished pedigree
of griots, praise musicians, and cultural guardians. Mamadou pays homage to his
famous cousin's lyricism and technical virtuosity, but he also stakes out
ground of his own.
The opening "Dagna" is a funky instrumental romp enriched by prickly melodies
from the banjo-like ngoni, played by another young Malian ex-patriot Fuseini
Kouyaté, as well as by djembe drum and rock-solid acoustic bass from
American jazzman Ira Coleman. Instrumental music is the focus, most of it
ensemble work, though the powerful "Soutoukou" is a solo track in the restless,
racing style of the Gambia. Malian kora tends to be more serene, and
Diabaté exploits that in his version of the classic "Djanjo" and on the
promising original composition "Tunga." He touches on the heralded Malian
connection with the blues, marrying the Manding standard "Massane Cisse" with a
Chicago vamp. Better still is his foray into pentatonic Bambara music, which is
not usually the province of the kora. Two tracks include soaring griot vocals
from Abdoulaye Diabaté, another young Malian to watch.
-- Banning Eyre
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