Ladilikan

"This encounter [between Kronos and] three outstanding Malian musicians dazzles (...), partly because the quartet hush their chamber strings and let the African trio strut their formidable stuff. There is no point crowding the voice of Hawa Diabate, whom Kronos founder David Harrington likens to the late gospel diva Mahalia Jackson, handing her a pair of Jackson's most famous outings (in translation) to spellbinding effect, with Ladilikan featuring Lassana Diabate's balafon pyrotechnics. Kronos's string parts are alternately urgent and sinuous, and [the] production has a winning vibrancy".

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"[Kronos] return to Mali for one of their most successful collaborations to date. Trio da Kali are a young supergroup, all related to distinguished griot musicians ... Hawa Diabaté's emotional, soulful voice provides a reminder of her legendary father Kassé Mady Diabaté. She is backed on those ancient instruments, the xylophone-like balafon and bass n'goni lute ... The Quartet join in, at first with respectful playing and then with exuberant, thrilling flourishes that transform the ancient griot song Lila Bambo. Hawa had never heard of gospel music or Mahalia Jackson until persuaded to re-work God Shall Wipe All Tears Away with Bambara lyrics. The result is one of the highlights of an elegant, exquisite set".

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"En stjerne er født ... Som datter af Kasse Mady, har Hawa [Diabaté] tydeligvis fået jazzen ind tidligt, og hun folder en gospelsangerinde af fineste karat ud på nogle af numrene på denne plade, mens hun andre gange giver opvisning i traditionens fornemme sang. Hawa er simpelthen rystende god ... Det samme gælder selvfølgelig Fodé Lassana Diabaté, som både med Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric Orchestra og AfroCubism tidligere har vist sit enorme talent ... Hans spil er et vidunderligt klukkende kildevæld, over hvilket sangene glider afsted, mens Kronos Quartet har arrangeret vidunderlige vignetter, der perfekt føjer til og fuldender de afrikanske fortællinger ... Det er stor kunst. Tag bare den vidunderlige hymne, God Shall Wipe All Tears Away, hvor Hawa Diabaté går en Mahalia Jackson i bedene og fremstår som en pragtfuld sanger, der må have en stor fremtid ... Afrikansk-amerikansk brobygning og kunst af fornem karat".

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"[Trio Da Kali] have become a force to be reckoned with in their own right. The conjunction of them and the Kronos [Quartet] (...) is solid gold wonderment. This album also tells griot truths with gospel trimmings inspired by Mahalia Jackson. Translated into Mali's Bambara language, the centrally positioned "God Shall Wipe All Tears Away" is a paramount example. People will latch onto it for many reasons. The fact that Kronos apparently have broken down the original organ part's accompaniment between them (...) is one very good one ... "Ladilikan" is a match made in heaven. A visionary project".