TAJ MAHAL TOUMANI DIABATE
Kulanjan (Hannibal)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Right on the heels of Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal has been recording cross-cultural records of late, and I'd be hard pressed to choose a favourite. America meets Mali yet again as steel guitar blues mixes with traditional kora plucking, and like with Cooder and Ali Farka Toure before, the results are magical. Familiar Mahal standards "Catfish Blues", "Queen Bee" and "Ol' George Buck" are reshaped as the two sides jam out new versions on the spot. Mahal shows a surprising knowledge of the kora tradition, as he slips effortlessly in with the Mali group on their songs, providing his own personal yet not overbearing touch.

© 2000 - John Sekerka