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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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