New Ancient Strings
Back in the early '70s, a recording bykoramasters Sidiki Diabate and Djelimadi Sissoko calledCordes Anciennesfirst brought this rich acoustic music of Mali to the world. More than 20 years later, their sons, the now world-famousToumani Diabateand the junior Ballake Sissoko, have come together to pay tribute to their fathers with 1999'sNew Ancient Strings. While many of the songs come from the original repertoire, the music is all modern Mali. Toumani Diabate has toured the world as a soloist, as a member of fusion groups likeSonghai(with flamenco fusionist Ketama), and he has incorporated subtle changes into his music that makes it a living affirmation of the strength of the ancient harp of Africa. Together Diabate and Sissoko explore their fathers' roots while traveling their own new routes. This is the first all-acoustickorarecording Diabate has done since his stunningKaira, released more than 10 years prior toNew Ancient Strings, and it shows a mature and forward-looking artist that would make the elder Diabate proud.--Louis Gibson