Kimi Djabate - Dindin - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Middle of the Road are a Scottish pop group who have enjoyed success across Europe and Latin America since the 1970s. Before ABBA established themselves in the mid 70s, Middle of the Road were the sound of early europop with their distinctive harmonies and lead vocals from Sally Carr. Four of their singles sold over one million copies each, and received a gold disc InchChirpy Chirpy Cheep CheepInch. InchSacramentoInch, InchTweedle Dee, Tweedle DumInch and InchSoley SoleyInch. By early 1972 the group had sold over five million records. The band had their first and biggest hit record in the United Kingdom with their debut UK single, InchChirpy Chirpy Cheep CheepInch. The song reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in June 1971 and stayed there for four more weeks. In all, Middle of the Road had five hit singles in the UK in 1971 and 1972. InchFlying HighInch collects non-album singles and b-sides never before released on an album, including the hit InchEverybody Loves A WinnerInch.

The first in the CUMBANCHA DISCOVERY series, which provides a for under-exposed talents in international music. Kimi Djabate is a guitarist, percussionist and balafon (African xylophone) player from Guinea-Bissaue, a former Portuguese colony in West Africa. Djabates appealing and accessible sound is acoustic and melodic, with a touch of Afro-Latin swing on some tracks and the gentle sounds of the balafon providing a foundation for most. Fans of Habib Koite, Toumani Diabate, Cesaria Evore and Sara Tavares will find much to love in Kimi Djabate's stunning music.

There's a rich resonance to the music of Fodé Lassana Diabaté, whose music has travelled with him from his griot family in West Africa to the North American coast of Unama'kik (Cape Breton). Bala, his first album of purely balafón music, brings together traditional pieces with roots in the Mande empire, original compositions inspired by his time in Unama'kik, and tributes to friends and family members. Diabaté has developed a unique practice on the balafón-a traditional melodic percussion instrument similar to the marimba-in order to perform pieces with a broad cross-section of musicians from diverse global traditions. His playing is expressive and animated, the product of his dedication to his craft, his openness to collaboration, and his journeys around the world.