Description

In a rare fatherandson collaboration, Toumani Diabateacute, genius of African music and widely recognised as the greatest living kora player, has recorded an album of duets with his son Sidiki, the instrumentrsquos emerging star. Described as ldquothe finest Toumani collaboration since his classic work with Ali Farka Toureacuterdquo The Guardian lsquoToumani amp Sidikirsquo is a dialogue conducted through the kora, the 21string West African harp which the Diabateacute dynasty has elevated into the most iconic of African instruments. Fatherandson collaborations are rare enough but the ties binding Toumani and Sidiki Diabateacute are particularly profound and evocative. Descended from a line of griots custodians of the ancient oral traditions of West Africarsquos Mandeacute people stretching back seven hundred years the names Toumani and Sidiki are significant names in the annals of African music. Toumanirsquos father, Sidiki senior, recorded the first ever kora album, the classic Mali Ancient Strings, in 1970, unwrapping the instruments potential as a virtuosic lead instrument. His son Toumani has taken it further, weaving together bass lines, ancient melodies and astonishing improvisations to create a kaleidoscope of musical colours. Since recording the first solo kora album in 1988, he has brought the instrument to the world, with albums, tours, GRAMMY awards and collaborations with the likes of Ali Farka Toureacute, Taj Mahal, Herbie Hancock, Damon Albarn and Bjork. Toumani has also built an impressive array of fans along the way, including President Barack Obama, who chose Toumanirsquos collaboration with Taj Mahal as his alltime favourite album. Toumanirsquos eldest son Sidiki moves things forward again. In Malirsquos capital Bamako the 23 year old is a star. Voted Malirsquos best beat maker in 2013, Sidiki runs his own recording and programming studio and alongside rapper lsquoIba Onersquo is one half of the countryrsquos premier hiphop duo, who fill the 20,000 seater Modibo Keita stadium. At the same time he has a deep knowledge of Mande culture and a formidable technique on the kora. ldquoItrsquos a dream to play with my fatherrdquo he says. ldquoYes Irsquom a hiphop artist, but I love and respect my roots as a kora player, I want to know more. Itrsquos my chance to learn directly from my father. Itrsquos extra special because my father is my idol.rdquo The album is a set of unaccompanied kora duets, recorded with little rehearsal and for some songs no rehearsal as lsquoliversquo with no overdubs at RAK studios north London. World Circuitrsquos team of producer Nick Gold and engineer Jerry Boys Ali Farka Toureacute, Buena Vista Social Club, Orchestra Baobab is complemented by coproducer Lucy Duran producer of Toumanirsquos previous albums. Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté CD is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £9.99