Songhai

by Craig HarrisOne of the most interesting multicultural fusions of the 1980s was created by Mali-born kora (21-stringed lute) player Toumani Diabate, British bass player Danny Thompson, and members of Spanish flamenco group Katemah. Initially intending to record a one-time album in 1988, the group reformed to record a second album, Songhai 2, six years later. At the time of the first recording sessions, Diabate, the son of influential kora player Sidike Diabate, had begun to attract international attention with his solo album, Kaira. Released the previous year, the album remains one of the best-selling recordings of solo kora playing. Katemah was also beginning to gather steam. Consisting of two brothers — Antonio and Juan Miguel Carmona and a cousin, Juan Carmona, the group had released its self-titled debut album in 1985. A founding member of British folk-rock group, Pentangle, Thompson remains become one of Englands busiest sidemen, appearing on a lengthy list of albums by such top-notch artists as Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, and Tom Paxton.