CD Review: Kasse Mady Diabate's 'Kirike'

Kasse Mady Diabate
Kirike
Six Degrees Records

Mali's heralded griot, Kasse Mady Diabate, comes from a very musical region of West Africa and possesses a lengthy musical resume working with the Orchestre Regional Super Mande de Kangaba, Ibrahima Sylla, Ketama, Toumani Diabate, and Taj Mahal. Kasse Mady sings in Bambara--the primary language of southern Mali. For nearly five decades, Kasse Mady has been creating music with griot praise-songs and rootsy folk idioms without resorting to shiny pop confections. Kasse Mady is joined by Makan Badje Tounkara on ngoni, Lansine Kouyate on balafon, Ballake Sissoko on kora, and Vincent Segal on cello. The entire group creates a chamber-like musical result that is poignant and intimate. At times, the instruments take turns rattling listeners into a frenzy, but in a rather reserved manner. This is a very mature recording showing great depth and knowledge of griot music and world fusion. Anyone into West African music should acquire Kirike. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tiecoro Sissoko's 'Keme Borama'

Tiecoro Sissoko
Keme Borama
Kanaga System Krush

Hailing from Mali, Tiecoro Sissoko is a talented vocalist and guitarist in the Djeli tradition of West Africa. Tiecoro is joined by Madouba Camara on kora and Adama Tounkara on djeli n'goni. The rather acoustic offering is rich with scintillating strings and cascading vocal harmonies emanating from the spirit of Malian griot traditions. The relatively acoustic feel is very melancholic, relaxing, and meditative. There is a mix of instrumental and vocal music throughout. Unfortunately, Tiecoro died in 2012, but thankfully, his music will live on every time the album is played. The combination of kora, guitar, and djeli n'goni makes the music come alive and dance around in the listener's soul for a truly engaging and momentous result. Fans of Malian guitar music will appreciate it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sousou & Maher Cissoko's 'Stockholm-Dakar'

Sousou & Maher Cissoko
Stockholm-Dakar
Ajabu

The link between Sweden and Senegal is not too distant, as Sousou & Maher Cisssoko are evidence of its close association--at least from a musical perspective. Stockholm-Dakar is a thrilling album with loads of mbalax drumming and kora melodies with young, fresh vocals in Mandinka, Swedish, Wolof, and English. The liner notes contain English translations. The fast rhythms of the opener, "Nama Nala," as well as "Bamba," "Badia," and "Sunkotou Njiima," keep up the brisk pace. Sousou, a singer and guitarist, hails from Sweden, while Maher, a kora and calabash artist, hails from Senegal. The music is steeped in the griot traditions of West Africa. Anyone with a passion for kora music should acquire the album. Though, anyone familiar with West African music will eat it up. Add a little kora with ngoni and a dash of sabar, and you will have a delicious mix of Senegalese music on your plate. ~ Matthew Forss