Proclaimed and generally acknowledged as one of the classic recordings from Africa, this exquisitely recorded gem has the power to haunt for decades. Guinean kora master
Jali Musa Jawara (Diawara) headlines this record, though his kora is set amidst equally skilled balafon from
Jalimrijan Kuyateh and two other Kuyatehs, Lamine and Kissiman, on guitar. Jawara's singing is passionate and beautiful, and perfectly balanced with the female chorus.
Drawn from two of the most legendary griot families, this ensemble provided a revelatory introduction to Manding love and praise songs, when it was first released in 1983. This 1990 reissue on Hannibal spread it throughout the world. Apparently it was remastered a few years ago for a second CD release, but nothing in this original release needs any tampering whatsoever.
8 comments:
Thank you for sharing. Apurva from Pune, India.
Another truly great album. Thanks so much for your blog. It is fantastic! Keep up the excellent work...
Really enjoyed this. Beautiful. Thanks.
I bought this record under the title "Direct From West Africa" more than twenty years ago. I don't know how many hundred times I have been listening to it. For me it is and will always be one of the greatest albums ever. Magic.
This is a wonderful album. I first purchased it as a cassette tape and then later bought a CD when I came across one, because I was sure I was going to wear out that cassette! It is available in a remastered form on Djeli Moussa Diawara's web site, and it sounds MUCH better there than it does on my CD.
http://www.djelimoussadiawara.com/?s=yasimika
Fantastic album - thank you!!!
Thanks for sharing this rare album!
Thanks for sharing this, the best LP in the world. I remember walking into Stern's record shop in 1983 when they had just received the LP, and it was a life-changing moment. Every household should have a copy!!
Cheers, Tim H in Cairo
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