Symmetric Orchestra on Boulevard De L’Independence (World Circuit/MRA)

Master of the traditional 21 string Kora, Mali musician Tounami Diabate released the extraordinary In The Heart of the Moon with the great Ali Farka Toure a couple of years back and here he fronts the Symmetric Orchestra on Boulevard De L’Independence. A collective of 21 odd musicians and guests, they play almost every Friday night in his hometown of Bamako. It’s Diabate’ musical quest to unite the shared traditions of West Africa with traditional instruments whilst also incorporating modern instrumentation. An amazing collective of musicians from various African countries, the Symmetric Orchestra fall somewhere between traditions, old songs with new arrangements, new songs with traditional arrangements. There’ a steady pulse, singers in different languages and some of the most lyrical music you will ever hear