Chamber Music

PRODUKTBESCHREIBUNGEN
KURZBESCHREIBUNG
Lyrisches Kleinod: Der malische Koraspieler trifft auf den französischen Cellisten.

Ein schmuckloser Raum in Salif Keitas Studio in Bamako, eine Kora, ein Cello, drei Aufnahmesessions, keine Overdubs und draußen das schützende Dunkel einer malischen Nacht. Mehr brauchte es nicht, um dieses lyrische Kleinod auf Tape zu bannen. Der malische Koraspieler Ballaké Sissoko und der französische Cellist Vincent Ségal schafften es, während der Aufnahmen von "Chamber Music" alle störenden Außeneinflüsse auszuschließen und sich ganz auf das Wesentliche, ihre Musik, zu konzentrieren. Während Sissoko mit seinem Koraspiel ganz der Tradition folgt, bewegt sich Ségal, einst Mitglied im Französischen Nationalorchester sowie der Trip-Hop-Band Bumcello, mit seinem klassischen Cellospiel stilistisch in die Nähe seines Partners. Die meisten Stücke werden nur von den beiden bestritten, auf dem Track "Regret" ist Sängerin Awa Sanagho zu hören, auf zwei weiteren Stücken Mahamadou Kamissoko an der Ngoni, Fassery Diabaté am Balafon und Demba Camara am Bolon. Erstmalig erschien das Album 2009 in Frankreich.

REZENSION
Songlines magazine #70 - Top of the World album review This hypnotic masterpiece from the French label No Format is another fine example of the label's penchant for putting musicians from different musical backgrounds together in a studio and seeing what they come up with. Malian kora (harp-lute) player Ballake Sissoko and French cello player Vincent Segal got together in Salif Keita's studio Moffou in Bamako and made ten beautiful tracks for this release, which explores both the common ground shared by the two stringed instruments - as well their differences. Most of the songs are pinned around traditional kora melodies and rhythms but Segal does well to make them his own. His cello has a husky tone that complements the clear notes of the kora, staking its claim to its own space even when the kora is setting the tune. On `Mako Mady' Segal leads the track boldly and darkly, while Sissoko follows with his characteristic lightness. On `Ma-Ma FC' the kora sets the racing melody while Segal peppers the chords with his unpredictable plucking and bowing. The deeply resonant title-track reminds us that the kora, as well as being an instrument to fill out dance bands like Salif Keita's lively ensemble or Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra, also stands on its own as an instrument that weaves a tale in its own right. Throughout the album, Sissoko creates a beautiful, calming space in which to enjoy the cello, and Segal adds texture. This is the kind of music that doesn't happen all that often. Don't miss out. © Rose Skelton --Songlines

It's no insult to describe Ballake Sissoko as the second best (and second best-known) kora player in both Mali and the world, for he is a master musician who is eclipsed only by his close friend and neighbour Toumani Diabate, with whom he recorded that celebrated series of duets, New Ancient Strings. Like Diabate, he's a griot whose music is steeped in ancient west African traditions, and he's also a brave innovator, as shown by this exquisite set recorded with the French cellist Vincent Segal, who plays in the dub/trip hop outfit Bumcello. As the title suggests, there's a more classical mood to this delicate and thoughtful album of (mostly) instrumental pieces, which was recorded with no overdubs in three sessions at Salif Keita's studio in Bamako. It's the work of two musicians from very different backgrounds who seem to understand each other almost intuitively, with passages of stately and then rippling kora work underpinned by sturdy cello lines, followed by a sudden switch, so it's now the kora providing the rhythmic backing as the cello takes the lead. There are occasional appearances by other musicians, with n'goni and balafon players added for Houdesti, and singer Awa Sangho joining the duo for Regret À Kader Barry. But the best tracks, such as Sissoko's Chamber Music or Segal's Histoire De Molly, are intense and intricate duets on which no other musicians are needed. Robin Denselow FOUR STARS (Guardian)

Number of Discs: 1

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