Kora player Djeli Moussa Diawara (the artist previously known as Jali Musa Jawara) has a rich family history to lean on. He is the son of traditional musicians, brother to infamous kora fuser Mory Kante and cousin to the sublime guitarist Kante Manfila. He is renowned for his traditional work in the music of the griot, and also for innovative fusions of electronics, pop, jazz, salsa and other popular add-ons to the west African musical palette. Contrary to what the title might imply, FlamenKora [Melodie] is not one of those flamenco fusion records that have littered the marketplace of world music, but an energetic, contemplative and introspective look at the African roots of flamenco, and flamenco's more current return influence on the music of west Africa. It is performed in the studio by Diawara alone, on a simple array of acoustic instruments including kora, voice, small percussion and possibly some guitar (or some great kora playing that imitates it). The title track is a superb piece of flamenco-like kora and voice, full of subdued passion. "Kana Mone" features an a capella surprise as the layers of voices give the Manding melody of the piece an intense feeling. "Dakan" shows the amazing possibilities inherent in this African harp in a seemingly simple but instrumentally intricate song. "Sabary" hints at blues roots but ultimately makes such comparisons irrelevant and inadequate. FlamenKora ranges from deep Manding roots music to rich flamenco, but it is at its best as it wanders between the two, delivering music that is original and fresh without a trace of forced cleverness or empty innovation.