by Toumani and Sidiki Diabate
There are so many words to describe Toumani & Sidiki, the debut album for this father and son duo who come from a long lineage of kora players, and all of them involve the highest praise. The opening track Hamadoun Toure has a hypnotic simplicity to it which puts you under a mysteriously calming spell that doesn't end until the album finishes on a playful note with track Bansang. This beautiful album of kora duets has the power to make you forget about the world for a while as you listen. As the world’s preeminent kora player, Toumani is no stranger to kora duets, namely his successful collaboration with Ali Farka Toure and Ry Cooder (In The Heart Of The Moon) that had a very traditional feel to it. But this album is quite different – Sidiki is not only a kora player, but a well-known hip hop artist in Mali thus bringing his own beat and flavour the album. It's very warm and makes you feel like you're in the most comfy chair in your home. There’s something about this album that just makes you happy – I really have no criticisms of it at all, and I think it’s a must have for any music collection.
by Cat - The Breakfast Spread
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