Ladilikan is a project by the Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI), launched by His Highness the Aga Khan to support talented musicians working to preserve, transmit, and further develop their musical heritage in contemporary forms. On the record, Southern Malian musicians Trio Da Kali join forces with string virtuosos, and seasoned collaborators, Kronos Quartet.
The well-travelled San Franciscan four-piece do not let their status overshadow three of Mali’s most talented griot musicians, skilfully accompanying Mamadou Kouyaté’s punchy ngoni rhythms.
David Harrington, founder of Kronos Quartet, likens Hawa Diabate’s voice to American Gospel queen Mahalia Jackson. On God Will Wipe All Tears away we hear the full extent of Hawa’s extraordinary vocal talent, effortlessly sliding across ranges to give a moving rendition of an early Mahalia Jackson recording.
More than anything, this is a showcase of Fodé Lassana Diabaté’s hypnotic balafon skills. A long-time member of the excellent Toumani Diabaté’s Symmetric Orchestra, Lassana Diabaté is note perfect with his controlled and mesmeric beatmanship. I’m first and foremost a fan of guitar music, but I would trade in any garage rock ticket to go and see Lassana Diabaté’s solo in Lila Bambo. With twenty-one wooden keys to hit at such speed, the margin for error is so great that seeing the likely occurrence of Lassana play without a single mistake would be one of life’s most exhilarating musical experiences.
Ladilikan is a stunning demonstration of modern-day, cross-cultural collaboration, combining griot story-telling with Western craftsmanship. For those of you who wish to know the history of the album, buy the record and absorb the brilliance of the detailed liner notes, which not only shed light on the background of production, but give a track-by-track breakdown of the inspiration behind the songs, offering deeper understanding of Malian tradition. Each song has been translated to English so the poetry is not lost on unversed ears.
5/5
This review featured on UK Vibe, October 2017.