Yan Kuba - Kora Music From Gambia
The kora is typically a 21-stringed gourd harp from the Mandinkan tradition of Africa, used as a tool by the traditional praise singer or story teller to carry the words of his songs from generation to generation. Yan Kuba Saho is a griot, a master of both the instrument and the stories. He is joined on this recording by his wife, Bintu Suso, who sings with him and adds light percussion by tapping on the gourd with small sticks. With all the recent recordings boasting electrified, synthesized and techno-fed examples of the griot's art, it is nice to hear a well played, well recorded, direct earful of the real thing.--Louis Gibson