Karam (Dig)

Kimi Djabate | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cumbancha
• ASIN: B002C39TH8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,412 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Kimi Djabaté was raised in Tabato, Guinea-Bissau, a village known for its griots, hereditary singer-poets whose songs of praise and tales of history and legends play an essential role in West Africa's music and social life. Centuries ago, Kimi's ancestors, a wandering troupe of musicians from Mali, traveled to the region. The king of Guinea so loved their songs he invited them to stay and offered them the territory of Tabato.

A griot by birth, Kimi has been playing the balafón, the African xylophone, since he was just three years old, and learned to play many other traditional instruments over time. In 1994, Kimi toured Europe as a member of the national music and dance ensemble of Guinea-Bissau, and he decided to settle in Lisbon, Portugal. In Europe, Kimi has collaborated with many exceptional musicians, including Mory Kanté, Waldemar Bastos, Netos de Gumbé and others.

The central theme of Karam, Kimi's second solo album, is Africa: it's social and political realities; the suffering of African people; the fight against poverty; freedom; women's rights; and love. An expression of his griot roots, Karam pays tribute to the people, soul and spirit of Africa that is at the heart of his music.

Product Description

The first release in the Cumbancha Discovery series, which provides a platform for underexposed talents in international music. Kimi Djabaté is a guitarist, percussionist and balafón (African xylophone) player from Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony in West Africa. Djabaté's appealing and accessible sound is acoustic and melodic, with a touch of Afro-Latin swing on some tracks and the gentle sounds of the balafón providing a foundation for most. Fans of Habib Koité, Toumani Diabaté, Cesaria Evora and Sara Tavares will find much to love in Kimi Djabaté's stunning music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This deserves attention, November 19, 2009

By 

Fallen Feather - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karam (Dig) (Audio CD)

I'm surprised no one has reviewed this CD. I listen to a wide range of music, and do not focus on African music in particular, but big favorites are Ali Farka Toure, Cheklo, Mahoutelli Queens...But come on folks, check this out. This is some beautiful music bringing together so many African influences. It's a really nice synthesis of African sounds, Kimi's multi-instumental interests coming into play with his particular adeptness at the balaphone bringing a playful upbeat mood to this collection. This has beautiful continuity, breadth and integrity. It is often hard to sort through the many possibilities out there, but this is an exceptional artist, and a nice collection of African influences, offering a nice primer for the uninitiated, as well as the officianato. Mr.C