Search - Ballake Sissoko :: Deli

A new take on old-fashioned griot music

Bruce Whitehouse | Bethlehem, PA United States | 12/31/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of West African kora music may be familiar with "New Ancient Strings," the wonderful duet recording made by two Malian kora virtuosos in the late 1990s. One of the players on that session, Toumani Diabate, is certainly the most famous kora player alive today, and has made a slew of recordings in his own name and in collaboration with nearly every major Malian musician, as well as some Western ones (Taj Mahal and Bruce Cockburn to name just two).The other player, Ballake Sissoko, is much less well-known, but with "Deli" he demonstrates that he's Toumani's equal in many respects. His playing is just as magical, and on this disc he adds other colors to his musical palate. The kora, balafon (marimba), and ngoni (lute) make up the "big three" of traditional griot instruments, and on this disc they are joined by the bolon, another kind of Malian harp with a deep bass sound. All the musicians in Sissoko's small ensemble are amazing players, and the blend they achieve is marvelous. This recording may lack the lush reverberation that marked "New Ancient Strings"--it was recorded in a studio instead of a hall--but its crisp sound allows the other instruments to come into their own. Sissoko varies his arrangements so as to cover a range of different sounds. His wife Mama Draba contributes vocals on three of the 11 tracks; one track is solo kora, while another is a kora-balafon duet; the remaining six feature the instrumental quartet. It makes for more diverse and engaging listening than Toumani Diabate's "Djelika" (which featured his trio of kora/balafon/ngoni)."Deli" is a must for kora-lovers, and makes a great complement to "New Ancient Strings." It's ironic that instrumental recordings like those that we have previously heard from Diabate and Sissoko, and which are considered by many as the epitome of "traditional" West African music, aren't widely listened to in their home country. Malians generally prefer to hear singers, not kora, balafon or anything else, as the musical centerpiece. "Deli," with its mix of stylings both vocal and instrumental, might be an effort to gain a wider audience in Mali. I hope it succeeds in that respect."

Fabulous Family Traditions

Friederike Knabe | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 03/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Under Ballaké Sissoke's fingers the kora's twenty one strings come alive with inimitable resonant sounds in a way that few can match. This unique harp-like instrument of the Mandigue people has its roots in the 15th century. It is best learned at a young age as it takes tremendous skill to master it and mature talent to create the complex compositions designed for it. Cascading sounds of the kora blending into gentle melodies are inviting the other three instruments to explore the tunes and rhythms. It reminds me of a jazz jam session. The harmony between the musicians is evident.



The pieces, all arranged by Sissoko, show great variety in beat and mood. The accompaying musicians on "Déli" are well known soloists in their own right - two are also sons of famous musician fathers. They play the ngoni and the balafon. Both these instruments have an even longer tradition than the kora, being mentioned in the 12th century - the time of Soundiata Keïta, founder of the great Mandingue empire. Sissoko and his friends successfully bring the sounds of traditional Mali music into modern times.

The majority of the pieces are instrumental: kora solo, kora and balafon or compositions for all four instruments. Three songs feature Sissoko`s wife Mama Draba. Less known internationally than Oumou Sangaré or Kandia Kouyaté, her strong voice resonates with traditional "griot" stories and beautifully complements the sounds of the instruments.



Ballake Sissoko, distant cousin of Toumani Diabaté, and like him, a son of one of the great kora musicians of Mali, has distinguished himself as a virtuoso musician. Fans of kora music like "New Ancient Strings", which features the two masters of the younger generation, will want to add "Déli" to their collection. Highly recommended for newcomers to West African music too. [Friederike Knabe]"