08. Strings In Africa

The kora is a 21-string African harp-lute made from a skin covered calabash with a hardwood neck. The sound of a kora resembles that of a harp, though when played in the traditional style, it bears a closer resemblance to flamenco and delta blues guitar techniques. Starting with a wonderful Kora composition by malian Toumani Diabate and finishing off with Derek Gripper's adaptation of the same song for acoustic guitar, this mix takes you through some of Africa’s greatest string music composed from the early times until recent ones.