We've long been fans of Toumani Diabate for the healing vibes emitted from his kora. We've also long been fans of Akwaaba, the label devoted to good recordings of—and fair deals for—African musicians. Via Akwaaba comes the music of Gambian kora player Jali Bakary Konteh, who, like a next generation kora player, puts a full bodied approach to the instrument, adding vocals, sax and a clopping drum to make it ever so slightly funky. Akwaaba promises remixes to come, too.
Download: Jali Bakary Konteh, "Sumbuyaya" (email registration required)