Senegal’s own Seckou Keita has been renowned as one of the world’s foremost authorities and innovators of the kora which is an African harp-like instrument. Often referred to as the Clapton or Hendrix of kora, Seckou Keita has plenty of laurels to go around. Fortunately his music always lives up to the hype with this latest effort “The Silimbo Passage” providing a nice backdrop and introduction to this varied instrument—despite its popularity throughout all of Africa, each musical culture and bright spot seems to employ different tunings and artful playing. In fact the album features Keita’s own invention, a double-necked kora that allows for multiple tunings on a single instrument. Rhythm masters and students alike will find this album both compelling and intriguing.
