Customer Reviews

Tunga

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cd is superb. Mamadou plays his instrument, the kora a 21-stringed harp, with tremendous dexterity and feeling. If you like kora music you will love this recording, and if you haven't yet heard the kora...TUNGA is a great place to start!

Last night I experienced the music of Mamadou Diabate. The music and sounds that eminated from his Kora had me seated in awe as I listened and watched wholeheartedly to this wonderful musician. I would recommend this CD to anyone.

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.

I saw Mamadou and his band twice at the National Folk Festival in Bangor, Me. I was overwhelmed by the power of the music. Mamadou and the entire band signed my CD and were as gracious as they were intensely awe inspiring. The music here is simply beautiful throughout.

I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to see Mamadou Diabate and his group in concert, which of course prompted me to buy TUNGA. As previous positive reviewers have expressed - Mamadou is arriving on the scene as one of the world's most skillful and talented musicians. Mamadou and the group embody centuries of jeli tradition. I have no doubt that they will continue to enlighten the world with this beautiful music - I look forward to future works from Mamadou.

Kora music is a genre which i really enjoy and who better to listen than the J.J.Cale of Mali (If Farka Toure can be the Muddy Waters of Mali) Toumani Diabate'. Chancing upon this disc which combines the traditional music of Mali , played on the Kora with elements of Jazz/ Blues, i had high expectations for this one. I was not let down. This music represents some of the most delightful sounds on the planet. There's a liveliness and joyousness, that keeps you mesmerized.

If you have never heard of Kora music, you must listen to this one, you owe it to your yourself, the only thing i can think of that is better than listening to this CD, is seeing the man play this live. Its incredible, soothing, clear blue skies music, a time in your life when life was much much better and happy.

recommend strongly. 5 Stars

I heard parts of this album on NPR today. It really blew me away with its strangeness and power. I ordered it immediately.