Trio Da Kali and Kronos Quartet - Ladilikan

You take a trio of the finest traditional griot musicians from Mali and put them in the studio with a revolutionary Western string quartet - and the outcome is one of the most unusual and rewarding musical collaborations you are ever likely to encounter.

Ladilikan, the new album by Trio da Kali and Kronos Quartet represents a landmark in cultural cross-fertilisation which both parties rank among the most satisfying musical experiences in their diverse careers. David Harrington, who founded the Kronos Quartet in 1973, enthuses that the album is “one of the most beautiful Kronos has done in forty years.” On first hearing their griot grooves being played by two violins, viola and cello, Trio da Kali’s Lassana Diabate announced, “This is going to be the best collaboration of my life.” Da Kali means ‘to give a pledge’ – in this case to a musical heritage that dates back to the time of Sunjata Keita, founder of the great Mali empire in the early 13th century. The line-up of balafon (xylophone) bass ngoni (lute) and female singer is also based on ancient tradition, although the trio format and its repertoire is now an endangered species in contemporary Malian music.

All three Da Kali members come from hereditary musical families, and were brought together as a griot super group by Dr Lucy Duran. Balafon player and musical director Lassana Diabaté was a long-time member of Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra and has recorded with Salif Keita, Taj Mahal and many others. A musician of great subtlety and invention he has honed a virtuoso two-balafon technique to perfection. Bass ngoni player Mamadou Kouyaté is the eldest son of the instrument’s greatest exponent, Bassekou Kouyaté and he holds down the groove in his father’s band ‘Ngoni ba’. He is also involved in the thriving Bamako hip-hop scene. Singer Hawa ‘Kassé Mady’ Diabate is the daughter of Mali’s greatest traditional singer, Kassé Mady Diabate, and the power, range and phrasing of her voice led David Harrington to compare her to the late queen of American gospel, Mahalia Jackson.

The Kronos Quartet – David Harrington and John Sherba on violins, Hank Dutt on viola, and cellist Sunny Yang - have built an enviable reputation as the world’s most adventurous string quartet. Known for their commitment to continually re-imagining the string quartet experience Kronos have released over 50 records of extraordinary breadth and creativity and they are no strangers to collaborations with some of the world’s foremost composers and artists. Combining the spirit of fearless exploration with expert craftsmanship and skill, Trio Da Kali’s original repertoire has been taken on a fascinating journey, giving a new voice to timeless sounds.

1. Tita
2. Kanimba
3. Eh Ya Ye
4. Garaba Mama
5. God Shall Wipe All Tears Away
6. Samuel
7. Lila Bambo
8. Kene Bo
9. Ladilikan
10. Sunjata