Kaira

Kaira

Kaira

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is a groundbreaking work establishing the 21-string kora as a solo instrument of great subtlety and range. Toumani Diabate is a virtuoso player and he delves into the classical West African kora repertoire with his masterful technique. The result is music that is both absolutely contemporary and totally timeless. The songs include the title track "Kaira," which means peace, and "Jarabi," which translates as passion. Peace and passion are key words pointing to why this album is so successful. Quietly, with dignity and grace, Toumani Diabate brings great beauty into the world, producing wellsprings of flowing music that transport the listener to a place of intense calmness and tranquillity. Kaira is a classic African recording that transcends genre to stand humbly among the best music ever produced. --Jeff Grubb

Kaira,Toumani Diabate,Hannibal,African,Afro-Pop,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Music
Kaira
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • killa sound of african music
  • Beautiful, motivating music
  • Wonderful music
  • A great solo album
  • New Classic for Strings
 Kaira
Toumani Diabaté
Manufacturer: Hannibal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Africa | International | Styles | Music
MaliMali | Africa | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
Hannibal RecordsHannibal Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
GeneralGeneral | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
AfricaAfrica | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. New Ancient Strings
  2. In the Heart of the Moon
  3. Djelika
  4. Boulevard de l'Independance
  5. Savane

ASIN: B00000061L
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

  1. Alla L'Aa Ke
  2. Jarabi
  3. Kaira
  4. Konkoba
  5. Tubaka

Amazon.com

This is a groundbreaking work establishing the 21-string kora as a solo instrument of great subtlety and range. Toumani Diabate is a virtuoso player and he delves into the classical West African kora repertoire with his masterful technique. The result is music that is both absolutely contemporary and totally timeless. The songs include the title track "Kaira," which means peace, and "Jarabi," which translates as passion. Peace and passion are key words pointing to why this album is so successful. Quietly, with dignity and grace, Toumani Diabate brings great beauty into the world, producing wellsprings of flowing music that transport the listener to a place of intense calmness and tranquillity. Kaira is a classic African recording that transcends genre to stand humbly among the best music ever produced. --Jeff Grubb

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars killa sound of african music.......2006-11-11

To be honest i'm still xploring west african music and i started collect and hearing about this music only in 2005 and i love this sounds.Its a pity coz i will not be able to collect everything but at least i managed to start somewhere and still looking forward to take advantage of the continent at large. Great sound indeed from my fellow africans.

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful, motivating music.......2005-09-14

I own 2 CDs by Toumani Diabate, Kaira and New Ancient Strings. Perhaps it's because I had Kaira first and fell in love with the kora through this CD, but Kaira is definitely my favorite of the two (don't get me wrong - I love both and actively listen to both). On Kaira Toumani Diabate plays solo kora, and when I realized that this was one person playing one instrument with no overdubbing I was floored. The music has so many layers to it, bass lines, rhythm, melody, that it is amazing to know it comes from only ten fingers (not sure how many of those you actually use to play the kora). It is beautiful, complex, ethereal, and somehow motivating all at once.

When I went to the hospital to give birth I brought 2 CDs with me - this one and Putmayo's Music from the Tea Lands collection (I highly recommend this one too). As I played these 2 CDs over and over (and over and over) during labor the hospital staff kept complimenting the music and the atmosphere that it created. Ultimately I gave birth to the Toumani Diabate CD, with the doctor humming along. I still listen to this CD all the time, after having owned it for years! This is a true testament to any music, that it stands the test of time.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful music.......2004-05-26

It is very lively music, armonious and easy to listen. It sounds quite modern and light, almost danceable.

5 out of 5 stars A great solo album.......2004-02-05

This is my favourite CD featuring Toumani Diabate. If you are interested in kora music, this is THE album to get

4 out of 5 stars New Classic for Strings.......2002-08-09

I studied classical music for quite a few years (as an amateur who enjoys piano and chamber music.) What is the most-played CD in my collection? Chopin's Nocturnes, the Moscow Concert of Horowitz? Nope, it's a CD by Toumani Diabate, New Ancient Strings. I am so addicted to the sound of the Mali harp-lute, the kora, that I also bought this CD "Kaira" or "Peace."

This is a much earlier CD, dating back to 1988. It is a solo CD, that is, Diabate plays alone instead of with a friend to provide the traditional rocking bass that support the improvisational treble. Here, on Kaira, Diabate plays both parts treble and bass, so the music is more immediate, but less complex. It's also livelier and has some very folk-sounding tunes. My particular favorite is "Jarabi" , with it's rocking, two-note figure in the base, and a rippling melody.

Diabate is the son of the Mali kora "King" --so he is often referred to as, of course, the "Prince" of the kora. His music is complex, jazzlike, traditional and fascinating. If you liked New Ancient Strings and want to hear Diabate on his own, this is an interesting and listenable CD. I played it for someone who was unfamiliar with Diabate and kora music and he was impressed, too.
Singa
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Singa
    Kaira Ben
    Manufacturer: Stern's
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Africa | International | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    AfricaAfrica | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B00000JQIV
    Release Date: 1996-05-21

    Tracks:

    1. Bamba
    2. Poula
    3. Singa
    4. Tounga
    5. Masani Cisse
    6. Sara
    7. Mousso Loule
    8. Ze Me Fo
    Kaira
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Kaira
      André Sumelius Lift
      Manufacturer: Abovoice
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000CFWSW6
      Release Date: 2002-12-01

      Tracks:

      1. Kaira 03:27
      2. Gesture 04:58
      3. Proximity 01:39
      4. Gepetto 08:13
      5. Turmoil 05:58
      6. Cumbre Vieja 04:25
      7. Viscosity 01:12
      8. Terra 06:33
      9. Rebeige 01:04
      10. Two Places 06:04
      11. Kaira Reprise 01:44

      Product Description

      The Finnish Grammy winner from 2003.
      Kaira Naata
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Kaira Naata
        Po Bobo Jobarteh & Kaira Trio
        Manufacturer: Womad Select
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Africa | International | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        AfricaAfrica | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B00000FC97
        Release Date: 1998-11-10

        Tracks:

        1. Mama Duo Sanyang
        2. Kora: Lonely Feeling
        3. Pa Bobo Naata
        4. Africa
        5. Sara Bamba
        6. Kaira Naata
        7. Sorii
        8. The Late Alagie Koko
        9. Saliya
        10. Instrumental
        Kaira Naata
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Kaira Naata
          Po Bobo Jobarteh & Kaira Trio
          Manufacturer: Mfs
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
          InternationalInternational | Imports | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B00000B8BW
          Release Date: 1997-11-30

          Tracks:

          1. Mama Dou Sanyang
          2. Kora: Lonely Feeling
          3. Pa Bobo Naata
          4. Africa
          5. Sara Bamba
          6. Kaira Naata
          7. Sorii
          8. Late Alagie Koko
          9. Saliya
          10. Instrumental
          Kaira Naata
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Kaira Naata
            Jobarteh , and Kaira
            Manufacturer: Womad
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Africa | International | Styles | Music
            AfricaAfrica | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
            ASIN: B000003S4S
            Release Date: 1997-11-04

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