🎶🇺🇸🇬🇳🥁🪕🎸 Twenty-five years ago, two giants of black music came together to celebrate the obvious kinship and identity of blues and Mandingo music from West Africa. Kulanjan, recorded in the USA, was released in 1999, blending old blues classics, traditional African melodies and original compositions. Taj Mahal‘s voice stays with the utmost naturalness on Toumani Diabaté‘s lacy kora, and the boundary between the two worlds has never been so non-existent. Alongside the two leaders, it is essential to remember the presence of several other references such as Bassekou Kouyaté, Kassemadi Kouyaté, Ballake Sissoko, as well as Lasana Diabaté’s balafon, which takes on Cajun accents on Fanta, half-sung in French by Mahal.
A short tribute to Toumani Diabaté, who passed away just two days ago. #RIP
