Djoss DiabatéDjoss Diabaté
Haklima (Goin' Native, 2005)
New York-based Malian singer Djoss Diabaté has recorded one of the most inspiring recordings of contemporary Malian music in recent years. Djoss Diabaté is the artistic name of Abdulaye Diabaté. Since there is already another well known singer based in Europe called Abdoulaye Diabaté, the US-based jali (also known as griot) singer with the powerful voice goes under the artistic name of Djoss Diabaté.
A lot of the credit for the music goes to Djoss Diabaté's vocal performance and Ivorian keyboardist and producer Azouhouni Adou. His solos, keyboard-bass and arrangements are clearly spectacular. Adou is heavily influenced by one of the great masters of contemporary keyboards: Joe Zawinul.
The rest of Djoss Diabaté's band includes guitarist Moussa Cissoko and bala player Bala Kouyaté. Several African, American and European musicians involved in New York's African music scene participate in the albums as guests.
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050704180118540