Customer Reviews

Behmanka

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Diabate is the master of the kora, essentially a 21-stringed harp made out of a giant gourd or pumpkin. To see him live and watch his fingers barely move across the strings is to see genius at work. He's a hulk of a man, standing at around 6'7", and his hands are huge, but the delicate way he plucks the strings brings to mind the classic Gentle Giant. This is beautiful music, sometimes soft and gentle, sometimes blazing and incendiary, always wonderful.

After years of studying classical music, Jazz, and all sorts of esoterica - I was finally introduced to the music of Mamadou Diabate. What can I say? The man is a magician on his instrument - he fills the hall and defies logic with the sounds that emanate from the Kora. His music can be contrapuntal, folky, lyrical, or calypso. He has all the skill and dexterity of Al DiMeola or Paco De Lucia - the polyrythms mezmerize as the bass hand often provides an ostinato for the right. The man is awe-inspiring to watch, channeling something from deep within to his fingertips. His solo music is deeply spiritual and I would highly recommend this album for that introduction. His ensemble, however, is also brilliant and I would also recommend the new album coming out. His xylophonist, percussionist, and bassist are all fabulous musicians with astounding virtuosity. You can't but smile when you see the speedy exchanges between the Xylophone, Kora, and the talking drum. As a musician and a music enthusiast, I count myself very fortunate to have witnessed this amazing music first hand - and hope to have the pleasure again. In the mean time, I will treasure the CDs as a gift.