Skip to main content
‘Wait till you hear my son, Toumani!’
Tony Burke speaks with LUCY DURAN producer of a reissue series of Toumani’s Diabate recordings
Toumani Diabate with his kora

FOUNDED in 1980 Joe Boyd’s Hannibal Records was a world music pioneering record label and Malian kora player Toumani Diabate was one of Boyd’s important signings.

He was the world’s finest exponent of the kora, the 21-stringed instrument which is played by plucking the strings like a harp, but with a richer and resonant sound.

Former BBC Radio 3 World Routes presenter Lucy Duran, a leading authority on African and Cuban music, is currently producing a reissue series of Toumani’s Hannibal releases for Chrysalis Records.

Take out shares in the People's Press
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
(L to R) the book cover; Labour Party election poster 1945;
Books / 3 December 2024
3 December 2024
MICHAL BONCZA recommends a compact volume that charts the art of propagating ideas across the 20th century
Cairokee play Telk Qadeya (That is a Cause)
Gig review / 5 May 2024
5 May 2024
MICHAL BONCZA reviews Cairokee gig at the London Barbican
PROUD HISTORY: (L to R) Living Wage Campaign by COSATU (The
Culture / 29 April 2024
29 April 2024
Liberty Leading the People, Eugene Delacroix; Rupert Garcia,
Opinion / 15 March 2024
15 March 2024
MICHAL BONCZA rounds up a series of images designed to inspire women
Similar stories
Steve Knightley
Music / 15 April 2025
15 April 2025

STEVE JOHNSON, CHRIS SEARLE and TONY BURKE review new releases from Steve Knightley, Jupiter & Okwess, Jason Palmer, Lisa Knapp and Gerry Driver, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata, Ingrid Laubrock/Tom Rainey, Dan Sealey, Simin Tande, PAZ

Album Reviews / 3 March 2025
3 March 2025
New releases by Samba Touré, Santrofi, and Piers Faccini & Ballake Sissoko 
Buena Vista Social Club in full flight
Book Review / 5 August 2024
5 August 2024
Tony Burke speaks to music producer JOE BOYD about his new book, and his career promoting world music
Global routes / 22 May 2024
22 May 2024
The Jimi Hendrix of the kora, pure Soviet guitar and North African funk