How many great kora players have you heard? Better question... How many of you actually know what a kora is? According to Wikipedia the kora is a 21-string harp-lute used extensively by peoples in West Africa. Seckou Keita has been called "the Hendrix of kora". The Silimbo Passage is the third album from SKQ, the Seckou Keita Quintet. As a lot of younger world musicians Keita tries to blend many different influences into their traditional sound from the areas where they come from. The kora has many different styles and tunings and Seckou likes to play with them all, not keeping to his Gambia roots.

The second song, "Mande-Arab" Keita pulls off almost a Flamenco style mixed with klezmer and keeps it home grown. Then he reins it all in and comes back to a tradition Senegal sound on "Fonding Ke". One of the members of the quintet, Samy Bishai really flourishes with his violin skills as well. My favorites tend to lean towards the sparsely arranged songs like "Souaressi". Some of the tracks had Keita's sister, but I actually preferred his vocals.

Honestly, other than Toumani Diabate, I can't think of a better introduction to the kora. Seckou really demonstrates the instrument probably better than anyone though. His talents are far and wide, including some very clever music amalgamation and songwriting.

-- by Dennis Scanland