The band's name is taken from a Bambara word that means "to walk," but Tama's engaging Afro-pop mix is far more likely to inspire dancing. The group is built around a central trio consisting of Mali's Toumani Diakite on ... more »kora (a type of West African harp), English producer/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Sam Mills, and percussionist Djanuno Dabo, who hails from Guinea-Bissau. The three met when sitting in with Bengali performer Paban Das Baul, and they found one another so immediately sympathetic that they recorded a song together on the spot. On this lively follow-up to their first album, Nostalgie, they continue to blend traditions and fracture barriers. The album is further graced by the young-old voice of Assitan Mama Keita, also from Mali. It also includes a flying visit from Susheela Raman, an emerging star whose South Indian background and polyglot propensities suit Tama's inclusive worldbeat aesthetic to a T. --Christina Roden« less
The band's name is taken from a Bambara word that means "to walk," but Tama's engaging Afro-pop mix is far more likely to inspire dancing. The group is built around a central trio consisting of Mali's Toumani Diakite on kora (a type of West African harp), English producer/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Sam Mills, and percussionist Djanuno Dabo, who hails from Guinea-Bissau. The three met when sitting in with Bengali performer Paban Das Baul, and they found one another so immediately sympathetic that they recorded a song together on the spot. On this lively follow-up to their first album, Nostalgie, they continue to blend traditions and fracture barriers. The album is further graced by the young-old voice of Assitan Mama Keita, also from Mali. It also includes a flying visit from Susheela Raman, an emerging star whose South Indian background and polyglot propensities suit Tama's inclusive worldbeat aesthetic to a T. --Christina Roden
"Tama, a core group composed of four members with various guest musicians, is one of the most exciting world music groups playing today. With "Espace," the group has made a gorgeous record that not only contains pure, mostly acoustic instrumentation (an abnormality with the growing use of electronics and techno effects in today's world music collaborations) but also, Tama comes together as a true group. There is no star on this recording, just talented musicians coming together and forming a unique fusion. Greatly influenced by the traditional styles of Mali (two of the groups members hail from the country) the music also mixes afro-pop sensibilites with soaring vocals from Guinea-Bissau, funk influenced guitar lines, and guests from Morocco and Cameroon. Every song on this album is full of an undefinable group energy and musicianship that is mature and giving. This is surely one of the best albums to be released on Peter Gabriel's "Real World" label."