Kora Revolution

Amazon.com
If you are one of those folks who wish that the traditional sounds of Senegalese music were more dominant in the work of Baaba Maal, here's your opportunity to enjoy those elements more fully. Kaouding Cissoko has been the Daande Lenol band's kora player for a long time and more recently provided an essential ingredient in the recordings of Afro Celt Sound System. Here he stands out front on an album of bright, poppy tunes, many with the subtle Latin groove so essential to the Senegalese pop sound. The band that backs him is a family affair of balafons, guitars, percussion, flutes, electric bass, and female vocals; the result is decidedly folkie and introspective (particularly in contrast to the Baaba Maal sound). It's more a counterrevolution, actually, a positive look back to the acoustic roots of the music: the complex rhythms, the call-and-response vocals, and above all the kora playing of one of West Africa's masters, at long last in the limelight. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Kana Kassi
Kora Revolution
Hero
Niani Bagne Na
Douwayra Podor
Anna
Kounoun
Saya Djangaro
Ditax Kora
Senegal/Mauritanie
Bannaya

Amazon.com

If you are one of those folks who wish that the traditional sounds of Senegalese music were more dominant in the work of Baaba Maal, here's your opportunity to enjoy those elements more fully. Kaouding Cissoko has been the Daande Lenol band's kora player for a long time and more recently provided an essential ingredient in the recordings of Afro Celt Sound System. Here he stands out front on an album of bright, poppy tunes, many with the subtle Latin groove so essential to the Senegalese pop sound. The band that backs him is a family affair of balafons, guitars, percussion, flutes, electric bass, and female vocals; the result is decidedly folkie and introspective (particularly in contrast to the Baaba Maal sound). It's more a counterrevolution, actually, a positive look back to the acoustic roots of the music: the complex rhythms, the call-and-response vocals, and above all the kora playing of one of West Africa's masters, at long last in the limelight. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely gorgeous.......2006-05-10

This is a beautiful album that combines georgeous melodies with some powerful rhythms. Clearly Kaouding Cissoko was a master at his instrument but his lyrical approach predominates over technique. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in hearing this unique instrument (Kora) or who enjoys music from west africa.

Death of Kaouding Cissoko.......2003-07-25

I enjoyed the album when i purchased it in 1999 but usually do not write reviews. July 18, 2003, Kaouding Cissoko passed away in Dakar at the age of 39. Though he comes from a grand family of Cissoko kora -ists (his father played at the Sorano National Theater for years and his brothers also play). The next time Baaba Mal tours, it will be without Kaouding. So this solo album may be your last chance to hear one of the most sophisticated yet humble kora musicians in the world.

Senegalese kora with contaminations.......2000-05-30

Kaounding Cissoko is a kora virtuoso from Senegal, and this is the first, sophisticated, solo record. In the music you can hear contaminations from flamenco and jazz. The previous experiences of Kaounding are with Ernest Ranglin (In search of the lost riddim), Afro Celt Sound System, Nusrath Fateh Ali Khan, Baaba Maal and so on. The musicians are the same of Ranglin's record, with Ira Coleman on bass, Cissè Damba Kanoute on vocal, a very good senegalese rithmic session (djembe, tama, sabar, ecc.), chorus, flute guitar. Special guests are Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck. There are also some fine instrumental pieces. In some pieces kora seems a flamenco guitar. If you like Ranglin's In search of lost riddim, you will like this CD.

Ruined by producer's poor judgement.......2000-03-26

What the hell is a standup bass doing on this cd? Why do some producers feel compelled to ruin the music by introducing inapprpriate and irrelevant noises? The Kora is a very very DELICATE instrument. Mixing in a standup bass on this cd is just a bad idea. The fact that the bass player is a terrible one makes it even more aggravating.

lovely album.......2000-01-26

A perfect blend of the traditional kora with Baaba Maal's sophisticated vision of african pop (Maal guests on the album). If you liked NOMAD (Maal) or KULANJAN (Mahal & Diabate) or the SONGHAI albums, you'll love this one. If you don't have any of those, buy them all -- you'll find yourself smiling more for no apparent reason.

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