#4910, Remembering Toumani Diabate

New Sounds | Jul 19

In this episode of New Sounds, we celebrate the legacy of the late Toumani Diabaté, a master of the kora -the  sublime West African instrument crafted from gourd, cow-skin, and fishing line. Toumani Diabaté was born in Bamako, Mali, in 1965, into a family of griots, a lineage of hereditary musicians that stretches back 71 generations.

Listen to "Tubaka," recorded in 1986 when Toumani was just 21 years old. This track is from his first solo album, Kaira, the first-ever solo kora album and still a best seller. Then, enjoy "Caramello," a collaboration between the Spanish flamenco group Ketama and bassist Danny Thompson, showcasing the seamless blend of kora and flamenco.

Throughout his career, Toumani Diabaté worked with musicians from various musical fields, creating a unique fusion of sounds that transcended cultural and geographical boundaries. Hear "Mali Sadio," performed by Toumani and his Symmetric Orchestra—a group that symbolized the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, featuring musicians from several closely related countries.

Plus, listen to Diabaté’s GRAMMY award-winning collaboration with instrumentalist Ali Farka Touré, highlighting the extraordinary synergy between two of Mali's greatest musical talents. - David Norville

ARTIST: Björk, Toumani Diabaté
WORK: Hope [1:00]
RECORDING: Volta
SOURCE: One Little Indian
INFO: https://bjork.bandcamp.com/album/volta

ARTIST: Toumani Diabaté
WORK: Tubaka [5:37]
RECORDING: Kaira
SOURCE: Hannibal Records
INFO: https://www.allmusic.com/album/kaira-mw0000196836

ARTIST: Danny Thompson, Ketama, and Toumani Diabaté
WORK: Caramelo [4:21]
RECORDING: Songhai
SOURCE: Nuevos Medios
INFO: https://www.allmusic.com/album/kaira-mw0000196836

ARTIST: Toumani Diabaté
WORK: Elyne Road [8:50]
RECORDING:The Mandé Variations
SOURCE: World Circuit
INFO: https://worldcircuit.lnk.to/TDMandeVariationsWE

ARTIST: Toumani Diabaté, Roswell Rudd
WORK: Bamako [6:30]
RECORDING: Malicool
SOURCE: Sunnyside
INFO: https://www.allmusic.com/album/malicool-mw0000019771

ARTIST: Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric Orchestra
WORK: Mali Sadio [7:55]
RECORDING: Boulevard de l'Indépendance
SOURCE: World Circuit
INFO: https://worldcircuit.lnk.to/ToumaniBoulevardWE

ARTIST: Toumani Diabaté
WORK: Cantelowes [6:58]
RECORDING: The Mandé Variations
SOURCE: World Circuit
INFO: https://worldcircuit.lnk.to/TDMandeVariationsWE

ARTIST: Toumani Diabaté, Ali Farka Touré
WORK: Hawa Dolo [5:01]
RECORDING: In the Heart of the Moon
SOURCE: World Circuit
INFO: https://worldcircuit.lnk.to/AliToumaniHOTMWE

ARTIST: Danny Thompson, Ketama, and Toumani Diabaté
WORK: Ne Ne Koitaa [3:17]
RECORDING: Songhai
SOURCE: Nuevos Medios
INFO: https://www.allmusic.com/album/songhai-mw0000200715

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