Hank Jones Meets Cheick Tidiane Seck

[ejp626]

Has anyone heard this album? I've pasted in the AMG review which is certainly positive, but I'd like some other opinions. I have no idea how rare this is, but a record store I don't normally frequent (not Lincoln Park/Lakeview) has three copies. I'm leaning towards getting one, and can take requests if it is particularly rare. Thanks.

Eric

Hank Jones Meets Cheick Tidiane Seck and the Mandinkas

AMG review:

Review by Alexander Gelfand

This must surely be one of the most unusual items in Hank Jones' catalog. Few people would probably associate Jones — one of the finest pianists that jazz has ever known, and a man who has played with everyone from Charlie Parker to Tony Williams — with contemporary Afro-pop; yet this album is an infectiously grooving example of just that, featuring the remarkably versatile pianist alongside a stellar cast of musicians from the West African nation of Mali. At first glance, the Malian pop music that is featured on this cross-cultural outing would seem to be light-years from the kind of harmonically sophisticated jazz that Jones has played throughout most of his long and distinguished career. The chord changes that ordinarily undergird Jones' elegantly constructed solos are conspicuously absent from Malian music, which derives much of its unique flavor from the complex rhythmic interplay between electric guitars, keyboards, and traditional African instruments. Nonetheless, Jones plays this material as if he were born to it. His solos, while brief, beautifully straddle the line between his own personal style and the equally distinctive sound of his Malian bandmates; and his lines mesh perfectly with the mesmerizing rhythmic accompaniment provided by the rest of the ensemble. And quite an ensemble it is; some of the biggest names in Malian pop are featured on this album under the direction of leader Cheick-Tidiane Seck, and traditional instruments like the n'goni lute and balafon xylophone are given plenty of solo space. In addition, every track features a traditional Malian praise-song delivered by a powerful lead vocalist and a full complement of backup singers. An unlikely partnership, perhaps, but one that yields extraordinary results.

Edited January 1, 2005 by ejp626

[ejp626]

Apparently it also goes by the title Sarala and is not that rare, so no need to take orders. I'd still like to know if it is worth acquiring out though. Thanks.

Sarala on Half.com

[JSngry]

Hmmmmmmm....

I'm intigued, to put it mildly....

[brownie]

I like that one. Just be warned the strict jazz content is very limited and Hank Jones' participation is also a bit limited. This is basically an album of mandingo music.

The liner notes state that Hank Jones 'wanted to record an album of traditional West African music. He told the producer that the project was an absolute priority, and that it signified a radical turning-point in his career.'

[mikeweil]

Brownie says it all.

I bought it immediately 'cause I love Mandingo music - some of the warmest sounds from Africa. Hank Jones meshes so well with the African instruments, it is amazing - it can be difficult as the Kora is not tuned in Western systems, but they get along very well. A good appetizer for Mandinga music - I urge you to check out Kora music in particular: Tata Dindin, Toumani Diabaté, Malamini Jobarthe, Foday Musa Suso and many others.

Tata Dindin will tour Germany with a local jazz pianist this month.

p.s. the Kora is a kind of harp-lute - an instrument family of its own, combining characteristic of harp and lute construction. The national instrument of the Mandinga.

Toumani Diabaté

Edited January 1, 2005 by mikeweil

[robviti]

Apparently it also goes by the title Sarala and is not that rare...

that's an understatement. i see copies of this title in every used cd store i visit.