Interesting albums from the history of folk and roots music, by Marius Roeting.
Collaborations of musicians from various disciplines often result in exciting and interesting developments. However, those crossovers are not always understood, appreciated or welcomed. Such was the case in 2003, when two musicians, both at the start of a highly successful career, teamed up for a seemingly impossible collaboration. The Italian master of neo-classical piano music, Ludovico Einaudi, mixed his minimalist, hushed and subdued piano sounds with the dancing, swinging, hot, brooding griot sound from the kora of Malian Ballaké Sissoko. At the time, the album was not well received by genre lovers and the professional press. Still, it was a daring album and ultimately, after the commotion had died down, it became an appreciated album. Einaudi became truly world famous, the Chopin of the 21st century. Sissoko – somewhat (unjustly?) in the shadow of his contemporary and former duo partner Toumani Diabaté – made honourable solo albums showcasing his true mastery and on which he seeks out seemingly impossible cooperations, such as with classical cellist Vincent Ségal and in a trio with Maroccan oud player Driss el Maloumi and valiha player Rajery from Madagaskar in a kind of pan-Arab-African combination. The Malian is still exploring. The album Diario Mali with Einaudi was the first in a long series, a quest for innovation, crossovers with inclusivity.
Ludovico Einaudi & Ballaké Sissoko – Diario Mali – Ponderosa Music & Art PD cd018 
01. Laissez Moi En Paix 4:01
02. Entre Nous 9:32
03. Soutoukou 7:17
04. Chanson D´Amour 8:10
05. Chameaux 5:03
06. A L´Ombre 8:23
07. Mali Sajio 7:55
08. Dessert Dans Le Desert 5:47
All compositions: Einaudi & Sissoko
