Toumani Diabaté – New Ancient Strings
New Ancient Strings is a mesmerising collaboration between Malian kora masters Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko. This instrumental album, released in 1999, reimagines and pays homage to the original “Ancient Strings” recordings of their fathers, Sidiki Diabaté and Djelimady Sissoko, who were legends in their own right. Featuring nothing but the expressive sound of two koras, the album offers a deeply meditative listening experience rooted in West African tradition. The interplay between the two musicians is breathtaking — intricate, fluid, and intuitively responsive. Tracks like “Bi Lamban” and “Cheikhna Demba” showcase the kora’s shimmering beauty, with layers of melody and rhythm unfolding in hypnotic waves. There’s a quiet spirituality to the album that transcends genre and language. Whether you’re new to Malian music or a longtime devotee, New Ancient Strings is a captivating and essential work that invites deep listening and reflection.