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Mamadou Diabate is a great korafolá A korafolá is a kora player in mandinka
(who is able to make the kora talk) - korafolálu, plural. world wide known. Mamadou's father Djelimory played kora, the griot's venerable 21-string
harp. He was widely known as N'fa Diabate, performing in the Instrumental Ensemble of Mali and recording on the National Radio of Mali and collaborating with the greatest kora of that times, Sidiki Diabate and Djeli Madi Sissoko.Well experienced and world wide famous since he has settled in United States, Mamadou manages his own solo career and offers us great records.
Born in Kita (craddle of the best jèlílujèlílu (plural, jèlílu) are bards,
loremasters, and praise-singers in the Manding areas whose functions are story-telling, speaking about lineages, singing and playing music as they want and hear it. ever known in Mali) and
relative of Toumani Diabate, Mamadou competes virtuosity on kora and shows the very best of kora touch in fulgurating solos with a captivating lyricism and fluidity. His
performances are really tremendous.
In 2005, Mamadou Diabate is back with a unique solo album, a great piece of virtuosity,
infusing traditional melodies with his creative variations, blending fiery melodic improvisations with classical and acute kora ancient style : Behmanka is a masterpiece, rewarded by a Grammy.
Mamadou third World Village album, Douga Mansa features artful and eloquent kora performance at
its best. In 2009, Douga Mansa won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album.
In 2011, on his fifth album, Courage, Mamadou Diabate carves out a new direction. A departure
from the traditional melodies on his previous album, these contemporary pieces highlight his versatility as a composer and affirm his place as one of the finest kora players living in the world
today. Mamadou Diabate brings a new outlook to his fifth album, Courage. The kora is often said to be an instrument that can never fully be mastered, and for this new
release, Diabate continues his lifelong study by breaking from tradition. Douga Mansa was purely playing traditional ideas. "This new CD is purely contemporary," Diabate
says. "Some songs on this album have never been played by a kora player before. We don't let the tradition go, but we are modern musicians today." Courage also features
the collaborative talents of other Malian musicians on ngoni, acoustic bass, balaphone, calabash and djembe.
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Mamadou Diabate,Tunga, © 2000 Label : ALULA Records |
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Mamadou Diabate, Behmanka, © 2004 - Label : Tradition & Moderne - CD 50712 |
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Mamadou Diabate, Heritage, © 2006 - Label : World Village |
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Mamadou Diabate, Douga Mansa, © 2008 - Label : World Village |
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Mamadou Diabate, Courage, © 2011 - Label : World Village |
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