Part IV

Album review

No need to have followed the previous seasons to fully enjoy the fourth part of the adventures of the Kora Jazz Trio. The formula remains the same, a virtuoso concertinaing of jazz, West African traditional expressions and incursions toward Latin music, here the covers of the famous Via Con Me from Paolo Conte and of Luis Morais’ Sodade, immortalized by Cesaria Evora and the salsa percussion from the Columbian Boris Caicedo. Alongside Senegalese pianist Abdoulaye Diabaté and his compatriot, percussionist Moussa Sissokho, Malian Cherif Soumano—fellow traveler of Mamani Keita, Dee Dee Bridgwater and Tiken Jah Fakoly—pinches with ardor and accuracy the strings of his kora. To this central trio are added brilliant guests such as Mandingo balafon player Adam Condé (Salif Keita, Mory Kanté, Africando..), North Senegalese singer Woz Kaly on Fayda or French guitarist Hervé Morisot (Marcio Faraco, Rona Hartner, Toumani Diabaté..). Belgian pianist Eric Legnini pens a limpid, broad and dynamic work. The improvisations go crescendo, as well as the cadence which leads us to a most festive finale. © Benjamin MiNiMUM/Qobuz