The debut album Ladilikan by Trio Da Kali and Kronos Quartet will be released on World Circuit Records on Friday 15th September and is already being tipped to be the transglobal LP of the year.

The video to the collective’s single has already shown their exquisite sound and the fusion of Malian griot and contemporary classical music.

Ladilikan unites Trio da Kali and Kronos Quartet for the first time. Kronos artistic director and founder David Harrington has described the album as “one of the most beautiful Kronos has ever done“.  Trio Da Kali’s musical director Fodé Lassana Diabaté believes their griot grooves being played by violins, viola and cello has created “the best collaboration of my life”.

The three Da Kali members who make up the griot super-group come from celebrated musical families, brought together by Dr Lucy Duran on behalf of the Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI). Balafon player Diabaté was a long-time member of Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra and has recorded with Salif Keita, Taj Mahal and many others. Bass ngoni player Mamadou Kouyaté is the eldest son of the instrument’s greatest exponent Bassekou Kouyaté, plays in his father’s band Ngoni Ba and is also involved in the thriving Bamako hip-hop scene in Mali. Singer Hawa ‘Kassé Mady’ Diabate is the daughter of Mali’s greatest traditional singer, Kassé Mady Diabate.

The Kronos Quartet comprises of violinists Harrington and John Sherba, violist Hank Dutt and cellist Sunny Yang. Kronos have released over 60 albums that expand the concept of a string quartet and have collaborated with some of the world’s foremost composers and artists.

Kronos turned to the American composer and their frequent collaborator Jacob Garchik to arrange Trio Da Kali’s repertoire.

The album has already topped the September 2017 Transglobal World Music Chart.

Visit the vibrant Trio Da Kali and Kronos Quartet website for more information and updates about their performances and releases.