New Ancient Strings (25th Anniversary)

Originally released by record producer Joe Boyd’s (Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, Pink Floyd) Hannibal Records in 1999, the album was met with critical acclaim, and has since become a symbol of Mali’s musical heritage and the kora tradition. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘New Ancient Strings’, the album has been newly remastered. Inspired by the landmark 1970 album, ‘Ancient Strings’ (recorded by their fathers, Sidiki Diabate and Djelimadi Sissoko), Toumani and Ballake took to making their own contemporary version. Many of the songs are taken from the original repertoire, but the music is all modern Mali and played beautifully making this an exemplary classic in its field. Recorded in a single night, without any overdubs or rehearsals, the album captures the acclaimed kora players in the extraordinary natural acoustics of the Palais de Congre. ‘New Ancient Strings’ has become a cult classic and is frequently cited as an inspiration for western musicians including Childish Gambino, and Bjork who later worked with Toumani Diabate on her ‘Volta’ album.