Dakan

In the world of the djembé, we have progressed a long way from CDs of traditional dance drumming captured purely for ethnographic interest, and this is largely thanks to the 50-year career of Burkinabé master Adama Dramé. This is not his first concept album, and the bass, horn section, keyboards, guitar and violin that are added to the traditional Mande instruments of djembé, bala (xylophone), dunduns (bass drums) and voices to extend the sonic palate without straying into cheesy fusion. There are all manner of emotions, surprises and influences augmented by the tasteful arrangements and beautifully balanced and disciplined ensemble playing. At times nodding towards Afrobeat, at times desert blues, the recontextualised swinging percussion and female chorus travel through a world of unexpected colours. I’m not sure there is another album of djembé music with as much welcome variety.