The Mandé Variations is a 2008 studio album by Toumani Diabaté, produced by Nick Gold for World Circuit. Unlike many of his recordings which feature large ensembles, it consists of solo Kora throughout. The influences range from traditional Kora pieces to modern Western music.[1]
| The Mandé Variations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 25, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | Livingston Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Mande music | |||
| Length | 57:49 | |||
| Label | World Circuit (UK) Nonesuch Records (US) | |||
| Producer | Nick Gold | |||
| Toumani Diabaté chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album was released in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2008 by World Circuit, and in the United States on 26 February 2008 by Nonesuch Records.
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| The Guardian | [3] |
| The Independent | (favourable)[4] |
| MusicOMH | [5] |
| The Observer | [6] |
| Pitchfork | 8.3/10[7] |
| Robert Christgau |  [8] |
| Tom Hull | B+[9] |
| Uncut | [10] |
A 2008 review in Pitchfork notes that The Mandé Variations is only the second solo work recorded by Diabate; the first being 1988's Kaira, which was released 20 years prior. "Here it's just Diabaté and his unadorned kora, recorded with maximum clarity as he pays tribute to his roots and peers." The review calls the album "casually captivating from start to finish" and "haunting", noting "the awe inspired by hearing music this pure woven from the hands of a man.".[11]
Track listing
edit- "Si naani" – 10:31
- "Elyne Road" – 8:50
- "Ali Farka Toure" – 6:20
- "Kaounding Cissoko" – 6:27
- "Ismael Drame" – 5:45
- "Djourou Kara Nany" – 6:53
- "El Nabiyouna" – 6:03
- "Cantelowes" – 6:57
Personnel
editReferences
edit- ^ Lusk, Jon. "Review of Toumani Diabaté Mandé Variations". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Denselow, Robin (22 February 2008). "CD: Toumani Diabaté, The Mandé Variations". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ^ Gill, Andy (22 February 2008). "Album: Toumani Diabaté, The Mandé Variations (World Circuit)". The Independent. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ^ "Toumani Diabaté - the Mandé Variations | Album Reviews". 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Reviews 11-25". TheGuardian.com. 17 February 2008.
- ^ "Toumani Diabaté: The Mande Variations". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Toumani Diabate".
- ^ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Toumani Diabate".
- ^ Mulvey, John (20 February 2008). "Toumani Diabate - The Mandé Variations". Uncut. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- ^ "The Mande Variations". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 April 2023.