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The Mande Variations
 
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The Mande Variations

~ Toumani Diabate
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
Price: £7.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
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Product details

  • Audio CD (25 Feb 2008)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: World Circuit
  • ASIN: B0011OJPT6
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,184 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in this category:

    #9 in  Music > World & Folk > African

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Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.

Extraits
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. Si Naani10:31Album Only
Listen  2. Elyne Road 8:50£0.69
Listen  3. Ali Farka Toure 6:20£0.69
Listen  4. Kaounding Cissoko 6:27£0.69
Listen  5. Ismael Drame 5:45£0.69
Listen  6. Djourou Kara Nany 6:53£0.69
Listen  7. El Nabiyouna 6:03£0.69
Listen  8. Cantelowes 6:57£0.69


Product Description

Songlines magazine, April/May 2008 (issue #51
Toumani Diabaté is today for the kora (harp-lute) what Ravi Shankar was for the sitar 40 years ago - not just the outstanding virtuoso of his generation but a musician with the visionary genius to exert a profound influence far beyond world music. Just as Shankar influenced George Harrison and others, Toumani has already made an impact on the music of Björk, Damon Albarn and those at the more adventurous end of the rock spectrum.
If the album title was chosen to echo Bach's Goldberg Variations, it's a good analogy, for there's a courtly grace and elegance to these eight long, solo instrumental pieces. The effect is meditative - this is music for the head. And yet there is rhythm, too, of an astonishingly subtle complexity, although you'd have trouble dancing to it. Some have found the music's intricate, dignified counterpoint too austere to maintain concentration. Repeated listening pays dividends however - there's a voluptuousness in Toumani's endlessly varying contours of interdependent melody, harmony and rhythm that is quite engrossing. How a solo instrument recorded without overdubs can sound so lush and layered is remarkable - once again, Shankar comes to mind. Nor has the general seriousness of purpose dimmed Toumani's sense of fun - I am indebted to fellow music critic John Mulvey for pointing out that the opening phrases of `Cantelowes' are a playful quotation from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, a little riff Toumani picked up from Bassekou Kouyaté while recording his Djelika album back in 1995. This is a heroic record in every sense.
Nigel Williamson


Jazzwise, (Jane Cornwell), March 2008
(4 stars) Diabate has created a modern classic, a benchmark of traditional African music by a maestro in his prime.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A modern masterpiece of Malian music., 13 Mar 2008
By Jazzrook (Purbrook , Hampshire) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
Toumani Diabate is a Malian master of the kora(a 21-stringed West African harp). 'The Mande Variations' is only his second solo album although Toumani has been a guest of various artists such as Ali Farka Toure('In The Heart of the Moon'), Bjork('Volta'), Taj Mahal('Kulanjan') and Roswell Rudd('Malicool'-see my review).
This beautifully recorded acoustic album is a masterpiece of traditional African music which should appeal to a wide audience and deserves to be a strong contender for World Music record of 2008.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but not his best, 29 Jul 2008
By fact junky (London, UK) - See all my reviews
Unlike New Ancient Strings and Kaira, on which every track is superb, this latest album has a couple of less strong, meandering improvisations that really demonstrate nimbleness of fingers rather than great musicianship. If you are already a fan, definitely buy it, but if this is your first, I'd recommend New Ancient Strings or Kaira.
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect virtuosity, 4 Mar 2008
By Michael T. Isaac "Mike" (London UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I have come late to this kind of West African instrumental music. The Mande Variations is a masterpiece and highly accessible. Helped by a beautiful recording, this is an ideal entry to Diabate's music and I suspect that once sampled the listener will be compelled to seek more. I know I have!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars sublime
It's so easy to get caught up in the beauty of the kora sound - and this guy is arguably the best kora player around - and buy up all of Toumani Diabate's work. Read more
Published 3 months ago by ian russell

5.0 out of 5 stars No better way to treat yourself
I treated myself to 'The Mande Variations' for Christmas, tacked on to my presents-order, just in case I didn't receive anything to listen to. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Christopher Chambers

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, just brilliant
If you do not want the hair on your neck to stand up and goosebumps to appear on your arm then don't buy it, because this CD is truly brilliant. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Gordon White

5.0 out of 5 stars a master at work
I bought this as part of the run up to the 2008 WOMAD and I am so glad that I did. This is a work of great virtuosity that transports me to another world. Read more
Published 11 months ago by David A. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle bolt from heaven
I was a complete newcomer to this man and his music until, when sat watching all the latest Arcade Fire soundalikes on Jools' 'Later' one night found myself completely transfixed... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. I. Stephen

5.0 out of 5 stars Warning - highly addictive
Toumani Diabaté, the kora guru of Africa, has outdone himself with this collection of solo instrumental pieces. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Friederike Knabe

5.0 out of 5 stars serious music for all serious music lovers
The playing is faultless reminds me, with its interweaving of melodies, of Keith Jarret and his Koln Concerts. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Steve N

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mande Variations - Toumani Diabate
This is quite quite beautiful.... A gorgeous thing.... A masterpiece of musical virtuosity.... Listeners should check out "In the heart Of the Moon" (recorded with Ali Farka... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. G. Vranjkovic

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