CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

The Mande Variations

by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 26, 2008
Toumani Diabaté comes from a long line of Malian kora players, the kora being a 21-string harp crafted from a halved calabash gourd and cow skin, with nylon strings. This is only his second solo album from a large discography - the first one was in 1988. He has however recorded duet albums, like the lyrical New Ancient Strings with another talented kora player Ballake Cissoko and more recently a gently mesmerising In The Heart of The Moon, with the late Ali Farka Toure. He then assembled the enormous Symmetric Orchestra to record Boulevard de L'independence, a funky but somewhat noisy dance extravaganza where his usual subtlety was set aside.

Now he comes full circle back to his roots with a fascinating and gorgeous Mande Variations ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

In the Heart of the Moon

by: Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabate

Release Date September 13, 2005
The music from this album will take you to another world. What's even more impressive is when you find out the two musicians recorded the music unrehearsed.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

New Ancient Strings

by: Toumani Diabaté

Release Date June 22, 1999
New Ancient Strings

The sound of the kora is magical, and this album for two koras is wonderful.

You will hear the performance of two masters of the kora, and a wonderful selection of Malian music.

Diabate and Sissoko are incandescent on this recording: hightest rating.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Boulevard de l'Independance

by: Toumani Diabate Symmetric Orchestra

Release Date July 10, 2006
Toumani goes large. Sweet and subtle melodies inside an algorithm of complex musical exchange. This is a cd that will make your body want to dance and dance, while your ears will still for study.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Kaira

by: Toumani Diabaté

Release Date July 01, 1991
perfect for relaxation... I love playing it in the morning while making breakfast... it brings me a sence of peacefulness and cheers me up at the same time.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Kulanjan

by: Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate

Release Date August 03, 1999
The music is an exciting mix of instruments, vocals, and talent. Every musician is extraordinary and the mixing and recording is first rate. This music is earthy (Taj Mahal and drums) and airy (West African vocals and Kora) at the same time. I find is relaxing yet invigorating. It is possible to dream good day dreams yet still be quite connected to the present with this music. I recommend it for people who like intricate happy and soulful music.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Djelika

by: Toumani Diabaté

Release Date September 05, 1995
Mali is the source for a hell of a lot of great music and Toumani Diabate's is some of my favourite. It's just gorgeous: calm but complex, pleasant but not trite. Check the samples and if you like what you hear but wonder if the rest is as good, trust me, it is.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Mali Music

by: Damon Albarn, Toumani Diabate, Afel Bocoum, Ko Kan Ko Sata Doumbia

Release Date August 06, 2002
I found it to be a recording that runs together.... Not much stands out....

Until one plays the songs in a shuffle with other albums. Then one hears the fact that each song is good, some are great..... The melodica track from one song plays through too many tracks, but I love the CD.

The packaging of the version I picked up in Europe is a book, no jewel case, very beautiful. That was what drew me, besides the fact that anything from SeneMaliGambia is worth a try, IMHO>....

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Mande Variations

by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 29, 2008
Toumani Diabaté comes from a long line of Malian kora players, the kora being a 21-string harp crafted from a halved calabash gourd and cow skin, with nylon strings. This is only his second solo album from a large discography - the first one was in 1988. He has however recorded duet albums, like the lyrical New Ancient Strings with another talented kora player Ballake Cissoko and more recently a gently mesmerising In The Heart of The Moon, with the late Ali Farka Toure. He then assembled the enormous Symmetric Orchestra to record Boulevard de L'independence, a funky but somewhat noisy dance extravaganza where his usual subtlety was set aside.

Now he comes full circle back to his roots with a fascinating and gorgeous Mande Variations for solo kora (albeit with ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Malicool

by: Roswell Rudd, Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 04, 2003
The last couple of years have seen a great number of crossover albums. Not all of them are very good, but this one certainly is.

Here, the jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd has teamed up with the kora player Toumani Diabaté. At first it sounds a bit strange to hear a trombone in this setting, but I've listened to this album repeatedly and it has really grown on me ; I think the music is fascinating. 'Jackie-ing', in particular, is one of the most interesting versions of a Thelonious Monk composition I've heard in years. 'Sena et Mariam', on the other hand, is so gentle and beautiful that it almost made me cry.

Perhaps, not as accessible or as good as the collaboration between Farka Touré and Ry Cooder but this is definitely a very good CD. Were it not for ... Read More: