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Diamond Fingers Sparkles
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Toronto Star, Diamond Fingers Sparkles >>
The sparkling fretwork that earned
him the nick-name "Diamond Fin-
gers" permeates this rare solo disc
from Sekou Bembeya Diabare, star of
a band featured at the Global Cafe Fes-
tival here next week.
The full Bembeya Jazz orchestra
from Guinea, West Africa, plays the
five-day festival at the Distillery Dis-
trict next Thursday night.
Guitar Fa offers a stripped-down ver-
sion of the band's sound, which mixes
Mandingroots music with modem in-
struments and Cuban rhythms, and
has almost nothing to do withjazz.
Most cuts on the album are in-
strumental numbers. Some pieces
showcase Diabare's lightningvirtuos-
ity, backed by five Bembeya Jazz
rhythm players. Others display his
deep feel for the Mandingmusical cul-
ture, one of the richest in the world
Some are new compositions by the
guitarist. Others are reworked clas-
sics familiar to Bembeya Jazz audi-
ences.
On two songs, Diabate also sings.
He proves to have a deep, resonant
voice, like an American bluesman's,
and in both cases he is joined by the
ecstatic vocals of traditional griot singer
Safiata Conde.
Guitar Fo is a polished album from
one of Africa's most accomplished guitarists.
It will be released July 13. 07/01/04
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