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: Ballake Sissoko's 'At Peace'

Ballake Sissoko

At Peace
No Format/Six Degrees Records
 

Mali’s kora master, Ballake Sissoko, once again joins with cellist Vincent Segal on an addictive, nine-track release that is aptly-titled, At Peace. The soothing, melodious echoes of the kora, gentle guitar picking, classical cello, and harmonious balafon make At Peace a required listen for fans of Malian music, world fusion, classical, and instrumental music. The album is void of vocals, which accentuates the instrumental prowess from Vincent, Ballake, Fassery Diabate, Aboubacar Diabate, and Moussa Diabate. The scintillating sounds of the kora provide a relaxing, though somewhat jaunty, musical result. The instrumental exchanges between Vincent and Ballake are very fluid and seamless—the result of joint African and European connections over hundreds of years. Fans of Malian fusion will love the rustic nature of the compositions, though they are recorded with very high quality equipment. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kouyate-Neerman's 'Skyscrapers & Deities'

Kouyate-Neerman
Skyscrapers & Deities
No Format Records

Kouyate-Neerman is the shortened version of the names Lansine Kouyate and David Neerman. Lansine is a Paris-based and Malian-born balafon extraordinaire, while David is a French musician with piano and percussion training. David plays the vibraphone throughout the album, with additional noise effects and distortions for a truly, avant-garde musical experience that is more urban than traditional. The mostly instrumental music stems from the double bass, balafon, vibraphone, kora, and drums. The only vocals on the album occur on 'Haiti' by Anthony Joseph. Famed kora maestro, Ballake Sissoko, adds his personal touches throughout with crystalline results. Skyscrapers & Deities surfs a fine line between traditionalism and modernism, whilst covering new age, jazz, downtempo, trance, and experimental genres in the process. Kouyate-Neerman is a solid duo with something to offer for everyone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mamani Keita's 'Gagner L'Argent Francais'

Mamani Keita

Gagner L'Argent Francais

No Format Records

For someone with a name like Keita, you know good music cannot be too far behind. Mamani Keita is no exception. The contemporary edge of Mamani's music comes from the French composer and arranger, Nicolas Repac. Of course, Mamani's Malian upbringing provides a North African appeal with limited traditional instrumentation, however. Nevertheless, the kora, some percussion, and Bambara vocals directly place the music in a Malian context. The French presence is evidenced by the Afro-pop sensibilities of guitar-pop music with more of a creative feel somewhat removed from the typical pop-hit structures. However, Gagner L'Argent Francais, which means "To Earn French Money", is a hit in its own right. The music is a little more structed than fellow countrywoman, Rokia Traore, with the added guitar work similar to fellow countryman, Daby Toure. Mamani's beautiful vocals create a wonderful palette of musical color throughout the verses. Mamani strikes it rich here with a more adventurous and energetic rock edge than Tinariwen and Oumou Sangare combined. ~ Matthew Forss