Trio-da-Kali & Kronos Quartet – Ladilikan, review: ‘An inspired collaboration’

Kronos have been the world’s most pioneering string quartet for the past 40 years, while the Bamako-based Trio da Kali features leading musicians from some of Mali’s most celebrated musical families.

There’s the commanding singer Hawa Diabaté, bass ngoni (lute) player Mamadou Kouyaté and balafon (xylophone) player Fodé Lassana Diabaté.

The three of them open the album, discreetly accompanied by Kronos, who first burst out about three minutes in.

Most of the music is traditional Malian, brilliantly reconceived for this line-up, but God Shall Wipe All Tears Away and Ladilikan are Mahalia Jackson tracks charismatically sung by Hawa in Bamana with Kronos imitating a Gospel-style church organ.

An inspired collaboration.