Customer Reviews

Kulanjan

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Taj Mahal goes way back - I had a track on a sampler album, circa 1968, and he's always been a master of the rough-voiced blues. But gruff often covers tender and on this remarkable recording with Toumani Diabate he shows that tender side. The kora, Diabate's instrument, is a lot more lyrical and light than the guitar, and the virtuoso playing brings an uplift to songs from the south (States, that is) and Africa. The whole thing works, because the quality is there, and there is an understanding between the musicians that proves yet again that music is truly universal. This record sounds, I guarantee, like nothing else you've heard.

The Bottom Line: An organic roots album with simple but evocative melodies and accompaniment. Surpising blend of two musical traditions more similar than different. Like long lost brothers reuniting.

Is there a primordial music? Something with roots so deep that all human music sprung from it. It may be impossible to answer that question, but one has to wonder if Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate have managed to tap into that primordial musical root.

There has been a growing consciousness of the similarities between old-school American blues and the music of the African nation of Mali. Albums such as Mali to Memphis (Putumayo) have explored that synchronicity by compiling songs from Malian and American blues artists. The album Kulanjan takes the synchronicity much further. Living blues and jazz legend Taj Mahal had been interested in Malian music since the early 70's and had always wanted to explore it fully. Finally, he decided to take the time to do so. He brought seven musicians from Mali, including kora master Toumani Diabate to Athens, Georgia in April 1999 to record a blues-Malian album.

Like fraternal twins separated at birth, the musical styles of Mahal and Diabate complement each other perfectly. Both musicians were amazed at how natural was the blend of their traditions. All 12 songs on the album were recorded in only a few days, each track needed only one or two takes. Both artists remarked that the songs arranged themselves springing out of a jam session on the porch of a house in Georgia.

The naturalness, the sheer organic flavor of the music bears that out. Diabate's 21-string kora (think of a tenor guitar) forms a sweet, mercurial rhythmic counterpart to Mahal's lush, steel-bodied blues crawl. Meanwhile, the other musicians add delicate textures to the air's warm, acoustic interplay with an array of finger-picked harps, lutes, and the xylophone-like balafon. Mahal and Diabate take turns singing. The two musical cultures blend into a singular, slow, comfortable, folk lilt.

Kulanjan is a must for anyone seeking greater insight into the roots of the blues. Fans of folk, blues, and African music will find Kulanjan a fascinating and eye-opening look into the roots of those musical genres. It is great music to play while writing or working as it lifts the spirits of all who listen.

Taj Mahal (American jazz & blues artist) and Toumani Diabate (famous Mali kora musician) explore the roots of the blues from its very source ... they show us how remnants of the past are contained in the blues music of today. The music and oral tradition of the griots, who sang the praises of the kings in ancient times, plus the music of the hunters, termed termed wassoulou, form the basis and foundation of the blues. Ancient instruments, such as, the kora, a 21 stringed, harp-like instrument combine with modern blues guitar music. There are astonishing improvisations and melodies which have the listener, tapping one's fingers and moving one's body in response to the music ... Some of the songs are classics, from either Mali or the American blues, others are original songs which arose during the jam sessions. In either case, it is great music by anyone's definition or standards ...

The music on this CD is so very pure, authentic and original, that it convinces this listener, that indeed, these musicians found "the source". Although, Africa is a vast, large continent, when I first heard the music of Mali, I was captivated, it spoke to my heart. The spirit, feeling and emotions are enlivend when listening to the instruments and voices which combine on this CD. In magical ways this music carries a message of joy, of life, of energy, of beauty, of peace, serenity, of a balance and harmony in the universe ... Erika Borsos (erikab93)

This has wonderful blendings of blues and the African roots that birthed them. Both artists are so above excellent, and the listening goes from soulful to spirited to meditative. All of it is candy for the senses.

As with any music that is truly new and different, you've got to listen several times before you make a judgement. I've been playing this nonstop since I bought it, and it sounds better--richer, fuller, more tender, deeper--with each listen. These musicians have achieved something rare--a confluence of styles both eastern and western that transcends all notions of genre. The result sounds like a field recording from a strange and beautiful place, say a front porch beside a glittering river in the middle of an arid plain. I eagerly await the next chapter.

I bought this album because I had heard of Taj Mahal and decided to try some of his music. Boy am I glad I did, though I've heard since then that this album is quite different since it contains so different a style of music, but it still has the down-home rough sounding voice of Taj Mahal that really pervades the entire album. This is a great album and very unique. Toumani Diabate adds a wonderful element of great african sounds and the blend of blues and african music is simply amazing. At first I wasn't very sure if it would work, but this has quickly become one of my favorite blues albums. I think the reason I love it so much is because it contains a great combination of emotional music and the two styles really do complement each other. I really have heard very little else like this that I could reccomend, but this album is a must have for anyone who likes Blues or likes African music.

I happened on this CD by chance when one of our local radio stations played a track. It has since become one of my favourite albums. The music is so assured - each artist complements the other musician beautifully. The combination of Taj Mahal's and Toumani Diabate's skilfully played music and voice is not only a pleasure to listen to but an education in the way two cultures can come together to create something fresh and new...and eminently listen-able! This album also introduced me to Malian music for which I am very grateful. Definitely worth checking out!!

There are not many albums one can live to. Do you know what i mean? One of those albums that you can put on some Sunday morning and let it guide your routine. "Kind of Blue" is one of those albums, and in my opinion so is "Kulanjan".

Diabate's "kora" fancifully blends with the rough textures of Taj Mahal's southern blues and whiskey flavored vocals on 'Ol' Georgie Buck' and one of my blues favorites 'Catfish Blues'. If you've never heard Diabate play before you'll be in for a treat with tracks like 'Atlanta Kaira', 'Mississippi-Mali Blues' and the title track 'Kulanjan', where he runs up and down his 21-string kora providing perfect accompaniment to Taj Mahal's steel acoustic guitar.

So, buy this album if you enjoy good music, for it is truly wonderful; a little trans-atlantic, Mississippi-Mali Blues from Athens, GA to you.

I happened on this CD by chance when one of our local radio stations played a track. It has since become one of my favourite albums. The music is so assured - each artist complements the other musician beautifully. Taj Mahal's and Toumani Diabate's skilfully played music and voice combinations are not only a pleasure to listen to but an education in the way two cultures can come together to create something fresh and new...and eminently listen-able! This album also introduced me to Malian music for which I am very grateful. Definitely worth checking out!!

This outstanding CD is a beautiful mellow mix of sound from Taj Majal and the singers from Mali and their instruments.