**** Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko

NEW ANCIENT STRINGS

(Cannonball Records)

In 1970, two of Mali's greatest masters of the 21-string kora -- Sidiki Diabate and Djelimadi Sissoko -- made a landmark recording. Cordes Anciennes (Ancient Strings) introduced listeners all over the world to the traditional music of Manding griots, and to one of the world's most unusual string instruments. The recording also summarized recent history, for though the kora has long been the mainstay of griot musicians in Gambia, and in Guinea Bissau, where the harp lute was invented, it was not widely played in Mali. Diabate, in particular, pioneered the use of kora as a solo instrument, and as director of the Instrumental Ensemble of Mali, he did much to raise its profile in the country.

Recorded in Bamako, New Ancient Strings brings all these stories up to date. Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko are the sons of the players on the 1970 recording, and they offer versions of the same songs their fathers did, including the classics "Kaira" and "Lamban." But the art of the kora has evolved in the hands of these young players. Today there is a very distinct Malian kora tradition, and this is its most definitive statement to date. Toumani, who conceived the new arrangements, draws on his experience with musicians ranging from the new flamencans of Ketama to bluesman Taj Mahal. No kora player has ventured so far out of the old tradition, and none has brought more back. The kora's tapestry of rhythms and melodies have never sounded richer.

-- Banning Eyre