Yours truly, got to know Guinean kora virtuoso Sekou Kouyate thanks to 'Faya', the 2013 album he recorded with New York rapper Joe Driscoll. On 'Faya' Kouyate's style reminded us of that of his former bandmate Ba Cissoko and on 'Sabaru' ("patience") that's certainly not any different. For those who can enjoy a solid piece of West-African kora, this album is definitely the real deal. But of course Sekou didn't earn his nickname "the Jimi Hendrix of the kora" out of the blue and on his amplified instrument he just as well elicits influences from blues, soul, funk, jazz, and with the aptly titled 'Ska' even a bit of ska, meanwhile covering the entire spectrum between intimate and exciting.