Guitari Baro—which translates to “Guitar Conversations”—is the debut instrumental project from a remarkable trio of griot musicians from Guinea and Mali. Guitarists Gaoussou Kouyate and Kerfala Diabate join master balafonist Lassana Diabate to create a mesmerizing dialogue rooted in the rich Mande griot tradition.
Drawing from regional styles of the Mande repertoire while seamlessly weaving in jazz, Congolese rumba, rock and roll, Guinean dance band grooves, and Cuban influences, Guitari Baro evokes both the historical lineage and contemporary vitality of West African music. Each track showcases the trio’s extraordinary virtuosity, intricate improvisation, and intuitive interplay, producing a sound that is at once ancestral, cosmopolitan, and futuristic.
The album is the first new release on Chrysalis Global, a label dedicated to international jazz and folk, following acclaimed reissues of Toumani Diabate’s New Ancient Strings and Kaira. The ensemble’s electrifying live debut at the 2025 Dakar Music Expo captured audiences and critics alike, offering a thrilling glimpse into the trio’s exhilarating stage presence and dynamic chemistry.
Mastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering, the album is available on CD with an 8-page booklet featuring in-depth sleeve notes by co-producer Lucy Duran, and also on 140g LP vinyl with accompanying notes. Guitari Baro is a compelling introduction to a group whose musical conversations transcend borders and generations, reaffirming the timeless power of the griot tradition while inviting modern listeners into a vibrant world of cross-cultural sound.
Tracklisting:
Disc 1 – Side 1
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Guitari Baro
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