CEEDEE OF THE WEEK

The trajectory of the performing and recording career of master korafola; Cissoko Ballaké, has been defined more and more by collaborations. His discographic output contains more collaborative releases than solo ones. Even "Tomora", his last solo recording, was effectively an ensemble effort. Some of his other recordings on which he received equal billing include ceedees with Diabaté Toumani, Ludovico Einaudi, Thee Stranded Horse and the trio 3MA with Rajery and Driss el Maloumi. He has also been featured on recordings  by Ross Daly, Keyvan Cherimani and Liu Fang. His most satisfying collaboration has been the 3MA project not only because of the deep conceptualisation of the original compositions but also for the fact that the three different cordophone traditions formed the basis for a rich sonic palette, and harmonised beautifully. Now comes his latest duet, this time with cellist Vincent Ségal. The men met while both were label mates at Label Bleu/Indigo and have been friends ever since.  As with all his previous works, this one is different, unique, interesting. The opus is entitled,; "Chamber Music". Ségal is classically trained. On some tracks, the dark voice of the cello is as an inky undertow to the shimmering notes of the kora, threatening to drag everything down to the murky depths. Perhaps that is why it is plucked as much as bowed on the whole? Plucked in tandem with the kora, they speak with one voice and I wish that they had followed this direction more. Not that using the bow does not work totally. Notice how exciting things get as cello shifts gears to catch up with Cissoko's mid-tempo cantor on "Wo ye n'gnougobine" and on "Houdesti", it makes a fine accompaniment to the deft, crisp plucking of the dièlin'goni by Kamissoko Mahamadou. The standout track is "Regret-A. Kader Barry". This spare, austere elegy to Mr. Barry is enhanced by vocals by Sangho Aoua [Les Go de Kotéba] and the melody is appropriately solemn. Here, the cello is most apropos as it evokes tears for the loss of the great voice of "Tomora". Kora, kamalén'goni and violin join in the march as karignan marks time. Affecting in in the extreme. "Chamber Music" is a bold experimental move by these two artists that works, for the most part. I'm glad they took the chance.