Cora Connection: Enhanced West African Music Catalog

kora jelis Dembo Konte and Kausu Kuyateh

Kausu Kuyateh (left)
Dembo Konte (right) Kausu Kuyateh is one of first jelis or hereditary musicians to add extra bass strings to the kora. Born in Guinea-Bissau, which was part of the ancient Kabou empire, Kausu with his 24 string kora, is renowned for his masterful version of the musical style, called Yeyengo. This style is played in a kora tuning know as Tomora Ba. The tuning has a bluesy minor sound, similar to the western dorian mode.

On "Kairaba Jabi" jeli Kausu Kuyateh and Dembo Konte, play and sing with a passion that is unmatched! This compact disc includes all the tracks from their 1987 release. "Simbomba--The Great Hunter", which is now out of print.

Born in 1965 in Brikama, The Gambia, the oldest son of Malamini Jobarteh, Ebrahima "Tata Dindin" Jobarteh started learning the kora when he was only 6 years old. Tata's own contemporary playing style is a version of Yenyengo. This kora style originated in the Kabou region, which is now kown as (Portuguese) Guinea Bissau. Many kora Jelis play this modern style along the costal areas of the Gambia and Senegal's Casamance region. The Yenyengo style is typicaly played on a kora with 22 or more strings.

With his electric band Salam, he is a popular folk hero with the Gambian youth, singing about changes in traditional society, explaining the reasons for inoculations campaigns and the important work of the Red Cross.

Salam is Tata's debut acoustic recording for Network (Germany). His unique kora style accompanies his plaintive vocals, relaxing and introspective. A kora student remarked that he liked this CD because it was not overly flashy or to fast. He could hear what strings were being played clearly.

Pa Bobo is a fourth generation kora jali (musician). The son of Malamini Jobarteh and the younger brother of Tata Ding Ding Jobarteh. On this 1997 debut recording for Real World Select we find ourselves visiting with the younger Jobarteh family members and friends who make up the Kaira band. 'Kaira Naata' means peace has arrived, and it has! Enjoy an intimate duet played by Pa on kora with his friend Haruuna Jassy playing the percussive wooden balaphone in a fisherman's hut at the beach side village of Gunjur. Its late afternoon as the sun is starting to set, vocalists Siffia Jobarteh, Pa's older sister sings with the Kaira band, entertaining at a kulliyoo--naming ceremony. Even though Kaira means peace, this high-energy band has their PA system cranked up loud and is playing music for dancing and partying. Other tracks include mora peaceful tracks with solo kora. Recorded on location in The Gambia, this compact disc captures the authentic feeling of the local popular Manding music.

Born Mohamadu Lamin Suso, Jali Nyama is acknowledged as one of the great kora players of this century. His legacy lives on with this historic recording. Five of the 12 pieces featured on "L'art de la kora" were recorded at the University of Washington, where Suso taught in 1971. He was the first to teach the kora outside of Africa! Originally released by Ocora back in 1972 and later by Tangent on LP. This CD reissue includes additional music recorded in 1970 in the Gambia by professor Roderic Knight.

This long playing (69 minutes) compact disc contains rare performances of the late Jali Nyama's wonderful kora playing and soulful singing. Included is a highly detailed booklet in English, French and German.
Highly recommended!

This is a true gem for collectors of kora music. A contemporary 48 minute collection of intimate performances by Gambian jali-ba, Yan Kuba Saho and his wife, Bintu Suso. With his masterful kora accompaniment filled upbeat funky bass lines and cascading arpeggios Saho sings about history, friends, patrons and even his late uncle and kora teacher Faal Suso. Singing backup jali-musoo Bintu taps rhythmically on the back of the kora's calabash body.

Saikou Jobarteh "At Home"
This is a rare recording of kora jeli, Saikou Jobarteh. Recorded direct to DAT (Digital audio tape) at his home in the Gambia. Available on cassette only -- 90 minutes of great music traditional Mandinka kora music.

Ballaké Sissoko "Tomora"

Son of Djelimady Sissoko, great master of the kora, Ballaké Sissoko is one of the best kora players of the new generation. Ten fingers for twenty one strings, and magic takes place, surely, calmly, enlacing us in a suave, crystalline sonority. Sissoko has played with the prestigious Instrumental Ensemble of Mali and accompanied by many female Malian singers. He came to fame by performing with Toumani Diabaté and Taj Mahal. Ballaké Sissoko is not only an incredible instrumentalist; he is also a talented composer and Tomora highlights both of these skills. The album is in three parts. One section focuses on the kora alone, including a duet with Toumani Diabaté. The second section features a trio of kora, n’goni and balafon and the third one features the voices of Alboulkadri Barry and Rokia Traoré.

"You get the impression that the people involved felt they had something to prove, that they could not take anything for granted. There is much on Ballaké's record to reward adventurers." - The Observer (UK)

Also available 'Dejli'
Released in 2001, Dejli features Sissoko' own Manding ensemble, featuring Fassely Diabaté (son of balophone 'maestro' Kélétigui Diabaté) Adama Tounkara (nephew of guitar giant Djelimady Tounkara) on ngoni and Aboubacar Dembélé playing the rarely heard four-string bolon, (essentially a rhythmical bass.) Sissoko's wife, Mama Drabe sings on three of the eleven tracks.

Toumani Diabaté has been called the Malian prince of kora. Born on August 10, 1965, the son of the late Sidiki Dibiaté, Toumani grew up in Mali's capital city, Bamako where he refined his amazing kora style and established his longtime musical relationship with Basseko Kouyate (ngoni). On "Kaira," Toumani's 1988 debut solo kora recording, his playing sounded liked two kora players at times. In fact the back of the of compact disc states "this recording was made entirely live and unaccompanied -- there is no double-tracking." While Cora Connection's Dave Gilden was traveling in the Gambia many young kora players talked about this one recording.

Manding Variations, is the latest solo recording from this mature kora virtuoso. With his adventurous instrumental interpretations of both new and old classic Manding music repertoire, the 'Manding Variations' will be easily enjoyed by classical music fans and appreciated buy hard-core African kora music collectors.

'In the Heart of the Moon', the recent recipient of 'Best Traditional World Music Album', in the 48th Annual Grammy® Awards 2005, Toumani Diabaté Ali Farka Touré present a low key performance, more of a jam session in reality. With 'African blues man' Ali Farka Touré haling from the north of Mali and Toumani Diabaté who's Mande roots extend back to Gambia, this recording is a charming introduction to these artists. Critical listeners will want to check out their complete discography to experience representative recordings that capture the essence of these artists rich diverse styles. Read Banning Eyre's review at Afropop Worldwide.

On "New Ancient Strings" Toumani is joined by his longtime Bamako neighbor, kora player Djelimoussa Ballake (pronounced-- Bell-a-kay) Sissoko, for a breathtakingly beautiful series of duets. Their fathers, Sidiki Diabaté, and Djelimadi Sissoko were on the orginal recording "Premiere Anthologie De La Musique Malienne, Chords Anciennes" recording.

Joining Toumani on Dejlika, (named after his young daughter) are long time musical collborators, Ba Sékou Kouyaté playing the 4 string banjo like ngoni and Keletigui Diabaté on the twenty one wooden key balaphones (African xylophone). Keletigui is one of Mali's first musicians to blend jazz and traditional folk music, playing two balaphones tuned a half step apart so that he can have access to the all the notes, like a piano.

With a unique mix Manding and Jazz, MALIcool presents Toumani's Bamako ensemble joined by American trombonist Roswell Rudd. "MALIcool swings with a snappy, sub-Saharan feel and adds credence to that old Latin phrase, "out of Africa, always something new." - All About Jazz (read the complete review)

Coming from another direction, veteran blues innovator Taj Mahal traces the roots of American blues back to Africa on "Kulanjan", which features six top Malian singers and musicians, including Toumani.

Tittles available on compact discs

Find out what is currently happening with Toumani, visit his page at World Circuit (click 'artists'), don't miss the cool photo gallery! You can also check out Toumani's mySpace page.

Music of Mali "Cordes Anciennes"

Originally issued on L.P., "Premiere Anthologie De La Musique Malienne, Chords Anciennes," documented the kora artistry of the elder generation of Malian kora masters. Tastefully remastered for CD, with great kora duet performances: Djelimady Sissoko with Sidiki Diabaté, and M'fa Diabaté with Batourou Sekou Kouyaté. This is a required recording for any serious student or collector of kora music!

Mamadou Diabaté 'Tunga'

Released in 2000, this debut CD from Malian kora musician Mamadou Diabaté, took the U.S. world music scene by storm. Tunga means "adventure," on this recording Mamadou is joined by his colleagues, Fuseini Kouyaté, ngoni, Famoro Diabaté, balafon, Fode Seydou Bangoura, djembe, and American bassist Ira Coleman. Guest vocalist Abdoulaye Diabaté makes an appearance on two tracks.

"This debut from a young Malian now living in the US puts all kora players on notice with its vitality, scope, and shimmering musicianship." Banning Eyre, The Boston Phoenix. Read reviewers comments and Mamadou Diabaté's profile

Mamadou Diabaté's Heritage is now available!

'Heritage' is Mamadou's new recording featuring his magnificent kora playing accompanied by Djikoryam Mory Kante, from Guinea. on acoustic guitar, Bala Kouyaté, balophone, Mbaye Kouyaté, calabash/talking drum and Noah Jarrett acoustic bass.

On Heritage, Mamadou Diabate honors the responsibilities of his griot upbringing by featuring music drawn from the august canon of the Mande jeli. At the same time, the performances here, and Mamadou’s career in general, also highlight the amazing flexibility and adaptability of this courtly music tradition. Diabate performs with his own instrumental group - a versatile band that includes balafonist Bala Kouyaté, Baye Kouyaté on calabash and talking drum, American jazz musician Noah Jarrett on bass, with a special guest cameo from the Guinean guitarist Djikorya Mory Kante. In their fiery interactions and seamless chemistry, we discover the results of three years of constant performance. Mande music is almost always centered around a singer, so the decision to keep this work all instrumental and let the musicians do the talking is unusual. This music is not typically accompanied by calabash or talking drum, so the percussive aspect of the group is also innovative. But the deepest innovation comes in the compositions and arrangements themselves.

Compact Disc $16.00 ORDER QUANTITY CheckOut

Mamadou Diabaté's sublime solo kora recording 'Behmanko'

Finally after waiting for a few years we now have a new solo recording from Mamadou. This 49 minute recording leaves no doubt that he is one of finest kora players living today. Visit his web site to hear Mp3s from Behmanka.

Compact Disc $16.00 ORDER QUANTITY CheckOut

Badenya -- Manden Jaliya in New York City

This 2002 Smithsonian/Folkways compilation features 5 tracks of Mamadou Diabaté's current troupe "Super Manding" plus additional tracks contributed by other outstanding west African musicians that preform and teach the greater New York area.

Foday Musa Suso traces his ancestry back through the generations to Jalimadi Wolengo Suso, widely believed to be the first kora player. Born in the Gambia, Suso moved to America in 1977 making Chicago his new residence. There with the help of American musicians he founded the Mandingo Griot Society. During his first year in the States Suso recorded two albums of traditional kora music for Lyrichord and Folkways. With Mandingo Griot Society's second release ("Mighty Rhythm") the band toured Europe for two years. suso went on to work with Herbie Hancock and bassist &producer Bill Laswell to create theme music for The 1984 Olympic Games. Hancock later invited Suso to play on the "Rocket It" album and to tour with his band. Suso is featured on the Philip Glass film soundtrack "Powaqattsi" and has composed music for the Kronos Quartet. Collaborating with Bill Laswel, Suso has produced a number of recordings featuring not only the Manding and Fula musical traditions (as heard on "Ancient Heart") but venturing into electro-kora funk territory with the release of "New World Power" and "Possession African Dub." Their latest offering "Jali Kunda" takes you on a musical journey from New York to West Africa. Read more about Jali Kunda

The Mandingo Griot Society was active in the late seventies and early eighties. Playing a unique musical style that is best described as a fusion of Manding traditional and modern American jazz music. This was the Mandingo Griot Society's 1978 debut recording, produced by percussionist Adam Rudolph.

Kaouding Cissoko is the kora player with Senegalese vocalist Baab Maal's band. He has recorded with Afro-Celt Sound System, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ernest Ranglin. On his first recording as a leader, "Kora Revolution" features his powerful vocals along side his melodic kora struming. A mixture of jazz and modern day Manding, Kaouding's "Kora Revolution" ensemble features female vocals, tama (talking drum), djembe, guitar, acoustic & electric bass and a special guest Baaba Maal.

Also available from Peter Gabriel's Real World record label: Night Song

This 1996 release produced by Canadian guitarist Michael Brook blends the singing of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (considered one of the greatest Qawwals vocalists in the word) the Brook's techno artistry and studio savvy. Brook features Kaouding Cissoko's kora playing on the opening track of this CD. If you are looking for a CD that bridges Trance / Trip Hop and World styles, this is it, a rare hidden gem. Brook has also collaborated with Brian Eno and has released recordings on Eno's Opal label.

Yelayo, the latest from this smoking Senegalese singer. Dark and mysterious sounding xalam lines and bright kora counterpoint blend effortlessly with Seck's melodic acoustic guitar phrasing. Female background vocals replace the sabar drums heard on his earlier releases.

'Manding Variations' Toumani Diabaté	ORDER QUANTITY $15.00
'In the Heart of the Moon' Toumani Diabaté Ali Farka Touré	ORDER QUANTITY $15.00
Kaira — solo kora, super articulate, a classic recording!	ORDER QUANTITY $12.00
New Ancient Strings — tranquil & meditative killer kora duets, featuring Djelimoussa "Ballake" Sissoko	ORDER QUANTITY $12.00
Dejlika — contemporary African chamber music trio	ORDER QUANTITY $12.00
Malicool— Manding swing with jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd	ORDER QUANTITY $16.00
Kulanjan — featuring Toumani Diabaté & Taj Mahal	ORDER QUANTITY $12.00
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Dembo Konte & Kausu Kuyateh Kairaba Jabi

Ballaké Sissoko "Tomora"

Tittles available on compact discs

Music of Mali "Cordes Anciennes"

Mamadou Diabaté 'Tunga'

Mamadou Diabaté's Heritage is now available!

Mamadou Diabaté's sublime solo kora recording 'Behmanko'

Badenya -- Manden Jaliya in New York City

Also available from Peter Gabriel's Real World record label: Night Song

Mansour Seck

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