Kasse Mady Diabate, Kassi Kasse (Narada World, 2002)

It begins with a kalimba, I think, although none is listed on the liner notes; a solid rhythm, a chant, "Eh Ya Ye" and African singing. They are telling the story of a sorceror who had a gift for conjuring. There are some nice acoustic guitar fills. The rhythm is intense, overwhelming. Some choral singing, and a repetitive riff on a variety of African instruments. This is authentic music, from Mali in West Africa. It was recorded in the village of Kela...and the sound is wonderful. The playing is seemless, and the singing superb. Narada World is another of those labels which seeks out authentic world music at the source.

Kasse Mady Diabate's vocals are strong, and potent. He is shown playing a National guitar in one of the pictures, but I didn't hear one in the recording. More's the pity. There are two acoustic guitars, played by Fanta Mady Kouyate and Demba Kouyate; and they are excellent players. Not in the North American style, but in the rhythmic riffing style of African music. Rhythm is everything. From the drums to the singing. You find yourself moving to the internal beat of the music. There is melody, but it's defined by rhythm. One thinks of those films glamorizing the British Empire. "It's those damned jungle drums, Farquhar!" But that's what it is! It's a groove thang...the basic groove thang! Handed down from generation to generation, and when new instruments became available, like National guitars, and the like they were added to the repertoire of instruments and blended into the culture.

Cuban double bassist Orlando Cachaito Lopez appears on all but two songs. Best known for his work with the Buena Vista Social Club, Cachaito produced his own superb solo album last year. Here he fits in beautifully, becoming a part of the Malian orchestra. Dunun, N'goni fitini, djembe, kora and simbi...are all present for the African sound, but it is Kasse Mady Diabate's vocals that make this a special recording. The album is subtitled Music from the heart of Mali's Griot tradition and it is probably valuable to understand what this means. The "griot" or "jeli" are professional, hereditary musicians who once entertained the emperors and kings of Mali. They are still the repository of information, and knowledge, and although the kings and emperors are gone...the griots remain...to make this remarkable music and tell these stories about the old days. You may not understand the words, but there is no escaping the sense of history and urgency that pervades this remarkable recording.