Dununya transports Guinean Mande out west

Dununya

By Kakande

Review by Douglas Heselgrave


Kakande are a New York based African music ensemble lead by Famoro Diabate, a Guinean Balafon prodigy. Diabate was born into a griot family that has developed and passed on their musical traditions for the last eight hundred years. Since arriving in America, he has tutored both African and American musicians and made two recordings as Kakande - the name of the Diabate clan’s home village.

In recent years, many African influenced bands have begun to spring up all over America. While some of these groups like Antibalas and Aphrodesia have picked up on the more raucous rhythms and aggressive melodies made popular by Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, the music that Diabate and his band favour is much more gentle and acoustically based. Lead by the balafon, a kind of wooden xylophone, the music is gentle and soothing while remaining rhythmically complex and challenging at the same time.

The music that Diabate plays is rooted in the Mande tradition of Guinea which was pioneered by Dundiata Keita who was credited with inventing the balafon eight hundred years ago. Until now, the traditions have remained quite consistent, but Diabate’s immigration to the United States and his decision to play with non-African musicians and incorporate their styles and instruments into his composition has arguably done more to change his culture’s music than any other event in the last several hundred years.
Listening to the eleven tracks on Dununya – which means ‘the world’ –cellos, saxophones and electric bass guitars can be heard interweaving with the traditional textures of the balafon and wooden flutes. The fusion of Western and African styles is never jarring as the respect that each musician has for his fellow players is easily heard. There is a lot of space in the music and each musician’s part fits seamlessly into the lilting grooves that Diabate’s balafon creates. It is difficult to pick a standout track on the disc as each composition flows into the next, making for a relaxing listening experience. The tunes on Dununya aren’t likely to get anyone on their feet and starting a revolution, but that’s not what Kakande are trying to do. The music is restorative and quietly uplifting. Much cheaper than a night out at the bar -it’s a perfect album to listen to after a hard day at work. Put it on. Before the first song is finished, you’ll feel like a new person.