Kôrôlén is a very special collaboration between two titans in music: Toumani Diabaté, the Grammy-winning Malian kora virtuoso, and the London Symphony Orchestra, renowned worldwide for their performances of orchestral music on record, film and stage. Diabaté, a griot whose musical lineage stretches back generations, is well known as one of the most creative musicians on the African continent, and is almost single-handedly responsible for bringing the iconic sound of the kora to worldwide audiences. No stranger to a genre-defying collaboration, he has recorded two Grammy-winning albums alongside desert blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré, as well as projects with Taj Mahal, Björk, Béla Fleck, Damon Albarn and Afrocubism. Commissioned as a special project by the Barbican Centre in London and produced by World Circuit, these recordings feature Diabaté and his group of eminent Malian musicians (including Kasse Mady Diabaté and Lassana Diabaté), accompanied by the soaring presence of the LSO, in dedicated arrangements by Nico Muhly and Ian Gardiner and conducted by Clark Rundell. The title bestowed by Diabaté on this unique and groundbreaking release, ‘Kôrôlén’, translates from the Mandinka language as ‘ancestral’ - a fitting theme for an album that brings together ancient griot melodies and Western orchestral arrangements, resulting in an achingly beautiful and fresh Afro-neo-classical sound that will appeal to admirers of African, traditional and new classical, and ambient music.
Release date:
May 7, 2021
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Spite New World Killer (Black Marble)
Rise Records
November 21, 2025 -
Hotel Lux Bitter Cup
Hotel Lux
November 21, 2025 -
Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All
Frontiers New Recordings Physical Only
November 21, 2025 -
Danheim Heimferd
Season Of Mist
October 31, 2025 -
Paul McCartney and Wings WINGS
Capitol
November 7, 2025 -
AJR Living Room (Bone/Black Splatter)
Bmg
October 24, 2025 -
The Aces Gold Star Baby (Gold)
Vector
October 24, 2025 -
Tortoise Touch
Nonesuch
October 24, 2025 -
The Mountain Goats The Sunset Tree (20th Anniversary; Apricot)
4Ad
October 17, 2025 -
Sam Ryder Heartland
Artist Theory
October 31, 2025 -
Kevin Abstract Blush (Blue) [2xLP]
Kevin Abstract
November 7, 2025 -
Animal Collective Feels 20th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition, Translucent Grape) [3xLP]
Domino Record Co
October 17, 2025 -
The Mountain Goats Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan [2xLP]
Cadmean Dawn
November 7, 2025 -
Ebba Åsman When You Know
Dorado
October 31, 2025