Post by Stephen on Sept 1, 2004 15:24:49 GMT -5
Yaya Diallo CDs
1. Nangape
2. Live at Club Soda
3. Dounoukan
Traditional West African healing drums are the signature and style of Yaya Diallo's cds, and NANGAPE, his first album in 1980, introduces the world to his blend of drum and flute styles.
Diallo plays dembe, balafon, conga, tama and dounouba and even with only Sylvan Leroux accompanying him on flute, NANGAPE proves a powerful introduction: one which elevated him to international musician status.
Enter his DOUNOUKAN, even more focused on West African healing drums with cuts 'by Griots for Griots', as in the traditional Djelli song 'Lamban for Mrs. Diallo'.
Perhaps even more accessible to general fans of African music who are not exclusively drum affectionados is the latest LIVE AT CLUB SODA album, recorded with his band Kanza.
The live recording includes vocals and a host of instrumental forms from sax and electric violin to bass guitar, providing a satisfying and accessible set of songs rounding out Diallo's drum emphasis.
Perhaps this is the most accessible of the three for the general audience, being a solid example of 'traditional music updated' for modern listener tastes: subtle elements of jazz and a powerful rhythmic beat enhanced by multiple sets of styles in this highly recommended pick.
Yaya Diallo has come a long way from his sparse 1980 NANGAPE all the way to LIVE AT CLUB SODA and from his 1946 Mali village drum roots to modern U.S. university teaching circles: it's a journey aptly reflected in these powerful recordings.
1. Nangape
2. Live at Club Soda
3. Dounoukan
Traditional West African healing drums are the signature and style of Yaya Diallo's cds, and NANGAPE, his first album in 1980, introduces the world to his blend of drum and flute styles.
Diallo plays dembe, balafon, conga, tama and dounouba and even with only Sylvan Leroux accompanying him on flute, NANGAPE proves a powerful introduction: one which elevated him to international musician status.
Enter his DOUNOUKAN, even more focused on West African healing drums with cuts 'by Griots for Griots', as in the traditional Djelli song 'Lamban for Mrs. Diallo'.
Perhaps even more accessible to general fans of African music who are not exclusively drum affectionados is the latest LIVE AT CLUB SODA album, recorded with his band Kanza.
The live recording includes vocals and a host of instrumental forms from sax and electric violin to bass guitar, providing a satisfying and accessible set of songs rounding out Diallo's drum emphasis.
Perhaps this is the most accessible of the three for the general audience, being a solid example of 'traditional music updated' for modern listener tastes: subtle elements of jazz and a powerful rhythmic beat enhanced by multiple sets of styles in this highly recommended pick.
Yaya Diallo has come a long way from his sparse 1980 NANGAPE all the way to LIVE AT CLUB SODA and from his 1946 Mali village drum roots to modern U.S. university teaching circles: it's a journey aptly reflected in these powerful recordings.