The Mande Variations

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.

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.

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.

Toumani Diabate is a master on this musical instrument the core'...an african harp. Beautiful music, great music to have on in the house, if you like harp music with a world music sound I highly recommend this...

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[...]

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.

Very beautiful kora music.

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!