m Fatoumata Diawara Ama Kora

Grammy-nominated Malian singer, songwriter, guitarist and actress Fatoumata Diawara’s highly anticipated new album London Ko, which sees Diawara combining forces with collaborator Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur) who co-produces a number of tracks on the album and is featured performing on the first track “Nsera”.

A while ago, the Afro-Cuban die was cast when certain musicians from Cuba and northern Africa felt as if they grooved to a similar drummer. The traditions of that subgenre thrive today as more and more musicians like Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca and Malian guitarist/vocalist Fatoumata Diawara feel inclined to bridge the Altantic through the power of music. Their chance meeting led to a 45 day tour of Europe as a seven-piece band and At Home: Live in Marciac is the resulting album. Right from its opening bars, this album crackles. Fonseca’s clavinet lays down a funky foundation, the crowd begins to clap along on the second and fourth beats, and the entire band are off and running. “Sowa” quickly becomes an Afro-Cuban call to worship. And for her part, Diawara is just getting warmed up.

His third studio album provides confirmation that the 36-year-old Cuban pianist is one of the most gifted, adventurous spirits of his generation. A lyrical approach recalling Herbie Hancock and Abdullah Ibrahim persists, but Yo also explores Cuban-African connections with guests such as kora player Sekou Kouyaté, percussionist Baba Sissoko and Mali singer Fatou Diawara. Elegant melodies such as "Bibisa" and "JMF" develop into intense instrumental sparring, while Fonseca touches on funk and electronica ("80's"), and laces compositions with poetry (an overexcited Mike Ladd on "Mi Negra Ave Maria"). By turns playful and passionate, Yo boasts poise and experimentation in equal measure.