The renowned Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté has featured in these pages before - on a duet album with his son Sidiki. This time he appears with a symphony orchestra, though somewhat cut down in size so it doesn't overwhelm the harp-like kora.
Kôrôlén ("ancestral") is an album recorded at the Barbican Hall in London in 2008, though only released in 2021. With bespoke orchestral arrangements the aim was to present the kora in a different light, and no doubt spread its appeal. The album has gained both ecstatic and mixed reviews, and if it had to fit into an existing genre, I guess "New Age" or "Ambient" would be top of the list.
The track here - Elyne Road (first appearing on Diabaté's 2008 solo album The Mandé Variations), is a wonderfully evocative example of Diabaté's musical persona.
The notes from the World Circuit album are given below, as is a video with Diabaté and the conductor and arrangers describing the project.
Cartridge: Ortofon Xpression MC
Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC
Turntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R
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Click to enlarge |
The Making of 'Kôrôlén'
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