The Mande Variations

I first heard a couple of selections of this CD on the radio on a late night drive. I was so struck by the music that I pulled over to the side of the road and listened to the simple, yet complex, music.I purchased the CD a couple of days later.About a year later in a parking lot in NJ I walked past some young men who were playing some Middle Eastern music which recognized and remarked upon. We talked and they insisted on giving me that particular CD. I pulled Mande Variations from my car and gave it to them.A new copy of this CD arrived on Wednesday as I was leaving to meet my brother at an airport. I played a couple of tracks on my way. Wow, I was thunderstruck by the beauty of the music and reminded myself that this truly is one of the classics to be enjoyed for many years. Somewhat as timeless and peaceful as the Ry Cooder & Ali Farke Toure classic "Talking Timbuktu".As I drove my brother back at the airport terminal after a brief lunch, I once again played a couple of tracks of this CD. I could easily see by how much my brother's musical taste was still similar to mine so I gave him this new copy.So now I'm back to order my third copy and will patiently await its arrival so that I can once again have the absolute pleasure of listening to this in my home, office and car.

I saw Toumani Diabate with Bela Fleck live last night at Yoshi's in Oakland, California. I had never heard of Toumani or the kora, so I was really only excited to see Bela Fleck. I was completely and totally blown away by Diabate's performance, both solo and with Bela. Just totally blown away. He described the kora as a harp lute - it has 21 strings between a large body and a 4' long neck, and is played with only 4 fingers (two on each hand). Its a majestic looking instrument, and yet it still took me by surprise with how beautiful and complex his playing was.He played two of the songs from this album live / solo, and they were shockingly good. The reproduction on the album is basically just as good - well mic'd and clear. The songs are complicated and energetic, yet very relaxing to listen to. I can't recommend it highly enough. I'm off to purchase his Grammy winning "In The Heart of the Moon" now.

This is a fantastic album from Toumani Diabate which brings out the beauty of the kora. Diabate is a master at this instrument and he weaves magic into his tunes. It is easy to drift away into a fantasyland while listening to his soothing yet fully alive music. Also, for people familiar with Indian music, the instrument (or perhaps Diabate's playing) sounds a little like the santoor (dulcimer) even though it is very different in design. Si Naani, Elyne Road, Kaounding Cissko and Cantelowes are my favorites. You can't go wrong with this album.

Although many enjoy this, their spirits drifting in flowing notes like happy dust-motes, I'm done-in. Although I know people who worked in Mali who told me about this National Treasure, it's not for everyone. And that's ok. Nothing against this superb musician - I respect his talent and achievements. After repeated listening, I'm sorry to say I find this tinny, high-pitched, and repetitive. Like the tiny shrunken man in the original  The Fly  yelping "Help me!" I just prefer the melodious old toothless Cuban guys and their rhythms in  Buena Vista Social Club . You may also enjoy  Talking Timbuktu .

That's exactly what I was looking for

I first discovered this wonderful genre after hearing Ry Cooder and Ali Farka Toure in Traveling Timbuktu. As I expanded my collection to other musicians I found this gem. The kora has such an awesome sound. If you have eclectic tastes - try this!

Kora is a beautiful underheard instrument around the world and ought to be better known. Had the fortune of watching a member of the Diabate famiily live and since then have been absolutely in love with this instrument. Great album.

This wonderful cd helped me survive cancer. I underwent radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks in 2008 when this fantastic album came out. This music calmed me down and helped keep me from jumping out of my own skin. I have a band called the World Blues Band. Our kamelengoni player Mamdaou Sidibe has had the privilege of playing onstage with Toumani! Salaam Aleikum, Diabate, you helped save my life!Gary Nelson[...]

This album comes highly acclaimed, winning awards and complimentary reviews alike, including 'Songlines' magazine. The music here covers the spectrum from traditional kora pieces (played on a kora over 40 years old, given to him by his father) such as 'Djourou Kara nany' to melodies influenced by pop, Indian, flamenco and blues styles, (played on a modern kora with machine-head 'Egyptian' tuning),and written by Diabate, such as 'Ali Farka Toure', his tribute to the great African guitarist, who duets with him on the meltingly beautiful  In the Heart of the Moon .Similarly, the music here covers a wide range of moods as well as styles, from shimmeringly slow and exquisite, to bubbling up-tempo pieces where diamond-sharp notes scatter and shower from the kora. Sound quality is excellent, with the kora feeling as if it were in the room with you. The accompanying booklet is also a thing of quality, with informative notes, plus an introduction to each piece by Diabate himself, and many complementary photos.Despite the variety and range, not perhaps music to be absorbed in a single session ( those new to kora should first investigate the superb Diabate compilation  King of the Kora: An Introduction ). However, the richness and complexity here rewards each repeat visit. In the Heart of the MoonKing of the Kora: An Introduction

This is one of three kora albums I ordered after attending a kora/harp performance by Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita, where I fell in love with the kora. It is a stand-out album out of the three, with a more classical feel. I can see why it is named Mande Variations, with a nod to the Goldberg Variations - the intricate melodies and the purity of the notes make me think of Bach or Scarlatti (that sounds worthy of Pseuds Corner, but it is what I feel). The kora here is close in sound to the Indian Santoor, as other reviewers have pointed out, which is another instrument I love. Toumani Diabate is conceding nothing to popular expectations with this album, he is playing as inspiration comes through, and it does come through, flowing like a river. This is not a CD to do the washing-up to,or cuddle up with, it is music to lift you to another level of awareness.

I came across this album after St Vincent's Annie Clark recommended it in an Amoeba video. In said video, she specifically pointed out the album and explained it's beauty and how Toumani was a Kora player from Mali. Naturally, intrigue takes you to Amazon to listen to the previews and you can easily understand why Clark is such a fan.The talent of Toumani is loud and clear and as professional reviews have remarked, you have to allow yourself to believe that such talent is real. Each track has its own character, despite simply consisting of one instrument being played by one man throughout.Enrichen your musical tastes with this album.

If you do not want the hair on your neck to stand up and goosebumps to appear on your arm then don't buy it, because this CD is truly brilliant. It's different to his others but that is the greatness of this guy. Some of the tunes relate to his experiences in the UK and he even plays with us in Cantelowes when you hear the start of the sound track for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Hey this guy has humour as well as brilliance.With the world falling about our ears and all the talk of greed and corruption just buy this and take your mind to some calm and peaceful place. This can really contribute to your sanity. I'm off to chill out with this CD. I have all his CDs but this is really set apart, perhaps it stands out becasue it is less traditional, please buy it and you will not be disappointed, trust me

I treated myself to 'The Mande Variations' for Christmas, tacked on to my presents-order, just in case I didn't receive anything to listen to. The aural gap didn't materialise but I guiltily found myself playing this in front of the CDs I did receive.It is a marvellous piece of music; the playing is virtuoso but never gets in the way of the charm, the warmth and the wit. Every track has humanity, verve and a joy of living that stops the poignancy and wistfulness becoming sentimental.If this is your first venture in Malian music, in the past I've liked singers Salif Keita and Boubacar Traoré and Kora player Jali Musa Jawara (on vinyl but CDs available).