Ladilikan (LP)

You take a trio of the finest traditional griot musicians from Mali and put them in the studio with a renowned and revolutionary Western string quartet - and the resulting album is one of the most richly rewarding musical collaborations you are likely to encounter.

Ladilikan, the new album by Trio da Kali and Kronos Quartet, represents a landmark in cultural cross-fertilisation that both parties rank among the most satisfying musical experiences of their careers. David Harrington, Kronos' artistic director and founder, enthuses that the album is "one of the most beautiful Kronos has ever done." On first hearing their griot grooves being played by violins, viola and cello, Trio da Kali's musical director Fodé Lassana Diabaté said, "This is going to be the best collaboration of my life."