Arnaldo Antunes, Edgard Scandurra & Toumani Diabaté: A Curva Da Cintura – review
- (Mais Um Discos)Toumani Diabaté has spent his life demonstrating the versatility of the kora, working with everyone from the flamenco group Ketama to Björk, Taj Mahal and Afrocubism. Now comes another fusion experiment in which he is joined by the poet/singer-songwriter Arnaldo Antunes, and rock guitarist Edgard Scandurra. The result is an intriguing if uneven set in which Antunes' sturdy, quietly intense vocals and straightforward melodies are set against far more complex backing provided by intertwining kora and guitar. There are pleasantly laid-back songs dressed up with delicate accompaniment, along with a charming re-working of Diabate's Kaira, and the bluesy Ir, Mao, with added African vocals and instrumentation. The best tracks are the most experimental, from Se Voce, which swings between cool balladry and stomping rock work-outs, and passages where Toumani's virtuoso son Sidiki shows how the kora sounds with a wah-wah pedal.Rating: 3/5Toumani DiabatéWorld musicRobin Denselowguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds ...
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