Griot Classique

A decade younger than his cousin Toumani, the kora player Mamadou Diabaté is arguably the better-known of the two in the US, where he now resides. His solo recording Douga Mansa won the 2010 Grammy for Best Traditional World Music Album, something Toumani has only achieved in collaboration with Ali Farka Touré, and the parallels between the two are considerable. Both come from griot families and are the sons of famous kora players. Both have experimented adventurously, and both have released solo kora recordings.

As Griot Classique's title suggests, Mamadou's sixth album in a 15-year recording career is his equivalent to Toumani's Mande Variations. An exquisite collection of solo improvisations based mostly on classical Mande melodies, it's delivered not only with a deep knowledge of the tradition and total mastery of his instrument but also with thrilling versatility and innovation. He's also blessed with a mischievous sense of humour and titles one of the loveliest pieces ‘Keep it Simple’. It probably is the most straightforward tune in the collection, but still sounds like a work of impossibly profound complexity to these ears. Nearer the mark is the title he gives to the closing piece, on which he sounds as if he's playing two or three instruments simultaneously – ‘Master Kora Only’.