I put this latest Malian album on and was enjoying it, along with a glass of red wine, when suddenly, in track three, Ed Bradley started delivering a 60 Minutes report about the benefits of red wine. Oh no, I thought, some bloody producer thought it would be cute to juxtapose an American report on the French lifestyle with West African guitar: the irony of the former colonies where people are struggling, etc etc. After a few seconds the 60 Minutes report went on to an interview and I got really pissed off and switched to the next track. To my horror the talking didn't stop, but then I realized my computer was playing a pop-up video in the background from one of those bloody medical websites that seem to be trying to give us all the jitters so they can sell us new improved Nervine tablets or whatever. I had to laugh. Especially at my own impatience and irrational anger. So calm down and get back to the music. It's called "Take it slow" but is rather up-tempo. Accordion, and some other odd t'ings pop up. Diabate is an n'goni payer, but realizes the banjo is a linear descendant, and so brings Bela Fleck into the mix. Diabate is a familiar name, but we know that only certain families can be griots. However, in this case, the Cheikh is a cousin of Toumani Diabate, virtuoso kora player, and also a nephew of the great guitarist of the Rail Band, Djelimady Tounkara. Said Diabate lives in Washington DC where the large expatriate community of West African diplomats, lobbyists and businessmen need praise singers, & he is happy to oblige. "ATT," an ode to the Malian president, is here, along with advice and homilies to those back home who think America is the land of milk and honey. Overall this is a great album, swinging from up to mellow. Traditional, modern -- it's all here. Beautifully balanced, arranged and executed.