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A. Pontecorvo:
Among the most powerful moments, if not the most powerful moment, is the title track itself, an arrangement of Mahalia Jackson’s “I’m Going to Live the Life I Sing About in My Song” that speaks out against the deadly political and religious conditions in northern Mali. “Ladilikan” begins with an intricate introduction by all five string instruments and the balafon that culminates in a rapid, electric flurry of bass ngoni notes before Diabaté delivers her most dynamic vocal performance of the album, reaching both extreme ends of her impressive range. Even then, she never sounds like she has to push; the music simply soars from her lungs.
(On LADILIKAN, World Curcuit Records)