“ELYNE ROAD” is the debut track to premiere from the highly anticipated recording of the masterful collaboration between celebrated kora player Toumani Diabaté and the London Symphony Orchestra.
The track is a truly wonderful preview to what’s a rather fascinating combination of West African griot/jeli tradition and the neo-classical brilliance of Western European conservatoire musicians. The LSO does a truly remarkable job of shining the musical spotlight on Diabaté by providing a nuanced yet compelling orchestral backdrop.
Where the kora soars in melody and improvisation around the major pentatonic, the orchestra (conducted by Clark Rundell) takes strides in conversing harmonically between each section.
Originally commissioned as a special project by the Barbican Centre in London and produced by World Circuit, the upcoming album is entitled Kôrôlén, which translates from the Mandinka language as ‘ancestral’. “Elyne Road” fits beautifully into that theme, highlighting the beauty of cross-cultural musical traditions, all woven together to present a landscape of true sonic beauty.
Listen to ‘Elyne Road’ below, ahead of the album Kôrôlén, released April 23rd.
