Songhai

Ketama collaborated with Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté and flamenco guitarist Danny Thompson on the Songhai recordings. The album fused traditional Spanish flamenco with West African musical traditions, released in 1988. It is widely considered a landmark album in world music fusion.

The album is a foundational text of the nuevo flamenco movement because it successfully merged traditional cante with Malian instrumentation. By blending the kora with Spanish guitar, it showcased a cross-cultural dialogue that expanded the genre's global reach. A follow-up album, Songhai 2, was later released due to its massive success.

Yes, the success of the 1988 original led to the release of Songhai 2 a few years later. The second volume continued the collaboration between Ketama, Toumani Diabaté, and other notable musicians. Both albums remain essential listening for fans of world fusion.

Aside from the standard Spanish guitars and vocals associated with flamenco, the album heavily features the 21-string West African kora. The blend of acoustic strings creates its signature crossover sound. It also incorporates jazz instrumentation and traditional percussion.