• 
  KG Omulo: Ayah Ye!: Moving Train
  
  A synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds from this inventive, young singer/songwriter.
• 
  Various Artists: Chief Boima Presents: Lone Stars - Hipco and Gbema
  
  
• 
  Mamadou Diabaté: Courage
  
  Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage.
• 
  Various Artists: The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2
  
  Mysterious melodies from a disappearing thumb piano tradition of Southern Africa.
• 
  Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground
  
  Indo-Canadian Songwriter Combines Folk Poetry with African Rock, Jazz and more
• 
  M.anifest: Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
  
  
• 
  Sona Jobarteh: FASIYA
  
  West African female kora virtuoso releases an album full of grace, warmth, and passion.
• 
  Sia Tolno: My Life
  
  Kissi singer releases a strong second album full of pop-infused star power over songs of strife and triumph.
• 
  Zieti: Zemelewa
  
  Eclectic blend of Afro-infused pop out of Cote d'Ivoire.
• 
  Guelewar: Halleli N Dakarou
  
  Re-released and remastered live CD from this 80's experimental Senegambian outfit.
• 
  Tinariwen: Tassili
  
  Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud.
• 
  Los Rakas: Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada
  
  Oakland/Panamanian rappers -call it "Panabay"-- return with good results.
• 
  Cheikh Lo: Jamm
  
  The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record.
• 
  David Rudder: Random Notes
  
  Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.

All Reviews >>

In 1970, two of Mali's greatest masters of the 21-string kora--Sidiki Diabate and Djelimadi Sissoko--made a landmark recording. Cordes Anciennes (Ancient Strings) introduced listeners all over the world to the traditional music of Manding griots, and to one of the world's most unusual string instruments. The recording also summarized recent history, for although the kora has long been the mainstay of griot musicians in the Gambia, and in Guinea Bissau where the harp-lute was invented, it was not widely played in Mali. Sidiki Diabate, in particular, pioneered the use of kora as a solo instrument, and as director of the Instrumental Ensemble of Mali, he did much to raise its profile in Mali. New Ancient Strings brings all of these stories up to date. Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko are the sons of the players on the 1970 recording, and they play versions of the same songs their fathers did, including classics such as "Kaira" and "Lamban." But the art of the kora has evolved in the hands of these young players. Today there is a very distinct Malian kora tradition, and this is its most definitive statement to date. Toumani, who conceived the new arrangements, draws on his experience with musicians ranging from the new flamencans of Ketama to bluesman Taj Mahal. No kora player has ventured so far out of the old tradition, and none has brought more back. The new session was fabulously recorded in Bamako's Palais de la Congres. The kora's tapestry of rhythms and melodies have never sounded richer on CD, and because these two players have worked together since childhood, their improvisations breathe with intimacy and intuition. Listeners unfamiliar with the kora will find this a friendly introduction. Kora aficionados will find it an indispensable addition to the collection. New Ancient Strings sets a new benchmark.
Contributed by Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org