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CD Review
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The Huffington Post, CD Review >>
Washington, DC-based Cheick Hamala Diabate also has an affinity for the banjo, this first cousin to the renowned Toumani and guitarist Djelimady Tounkara's nephew. It's an interesting image Diabate conjures: the cover of Ake Doni Doni (Grigri Discs) features the man Photoshop-juggling a kora, an n'goni, an acoustic guitar, and a banjo, with a motorcycle and the Capitol building, as well as the giant penis of Osiris (otherwise known as the Washington Monument), in the background. The first flap has the traditionally garbed singer/string player holding an n'goni while talking on a cell phone. In the background, a train arrives, not to scale. Probably a lot of symbolism I'm not exactly sure of; needless to say, once I got over this kitschy presentation, a remarkable album awaited my ears. Corey Harris, one of my favorite bluesmen, joins on vocals and slide guitar, and the entire cast of eighteen musicians help support the well-trained Diabate on his upbeat, uplifting sojourn on the ironically titled album translation: "Take it Slow." There is little slow on this very danceable recording. 07/15/09
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