''The Mandé Variations'' is a 2008

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

Toumani Diabaté Toumani Diabaté ( ; 10 August 1965 – 19 July 2024) was a Malian kora player. In addition to performing the traditional music of Mali, he was involved in cross-cultural collaborations with flamenco, blues, jazz, and other international styl ...

, produced by Nick Gold for World Circuit. Unlike many of his recordings which feature large ensembles, it consists of solo Kora throughout. The influences range from traditional Kora pieces to modern Western music. The album was released in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2008 by World Circuit, and in the United States on 26 February 2008 by

Nonesuch Records Nonesuch Records is an American record company and label owned by Warner Music Group, distributed by Warner Records (formerly Warner Bros. Records), and based in New York City. Founded by Jac Holzman in 1964 as a budget classical label, Nonesuch ...

Critical reception

A 2008 review in Pitchfork notes that ''The Mandé Variations'' is only the second solo work recorded by Diabate; the first being 1988's ''Kaira'', which was released 20 years prior. "Here it's just Diabaté and his unadorned kora, recorded with maximum clarity as he pays tribute to his roots and peers." The review calls the album "casually captivating from start to finish" and "haunting", noting "the awe inspired by hearing music this pure woven from the hands of a man.".

Track listing

#"Si naani" – 10:31 #"Elyne Road" – 8:50 #"Ali Farka Toure" – 6:20 #"Kaounding Cissoko" – 6:27 #"Ismael Drame" – 5:45 #"Djourou Kara Nany" – 6:53 #"El Nabiyouna" – 6:03 #"Cantelowes" – 6:57

Personnel

, kora

References

External links

The Mandé Variations at Nonesuch Records
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mande Variations 2008 albums World Circuit (record label) albums Nonesuch Records albums