This Malian guitarist and singer is an original. Kar Kar, as he is known, doesn't fit neatly into any of that country's many ethnic pop categories. But his elliptical, acoustic-guitar driven songs, usually in minor keys, deliver a potent blend of melancholy and joy. The sound made him a star in Mali in the early '60s, and a favorite with the world music crowd when Kar Kar was rediscovered in the early '90s. This album breaks the mold by adding more extensive accompaniment--wooden balafon, violin, percussion, guitars and more--from members of Habib Koite's band, Bamada. Koite is one of the most inventive new Malian stars, and he and his musicians add richness and texture to the Kar Kar sound. A violin melody graces Kar Kar's loping hymn to his ex-wife, Pierette. Koite contributes spicy guitar interplay to "Bebe Bo Nadero," a tripping, lively celebration of motherhood. With help from balafon maestro Keletigui Diabate, Kar Kar reprises his early '60s hit "Kar Kar Madison." Resonant and soulful throughout, this is a sterling addition to the cannon of small ensemble African music.

Contributed by: Banning Eyre
Originally published in: Boston Phoenix