“Hamaba” by Lalo Keba Drame

The first time I ever heard the Kora I was blown away. It was a mystic polyrhythmic journey somewhere between a harp and guitar. I couldn’t wait to hear more. One of the artists I found was Lalo Kéba Dramé.

Born in 1929 in Kwinella, a village in The Gambia, Lalo spent much of his adult life in Senegal and Guinea Bissau. It was there where he impressed audiences with his magical playing, so much so that he was invited by President Jawara to perform in England.

His 1976 album Lalo Keba Drame Et Sa Cora is one of the greatest examples of the Gambian style of kora music I’ve ever heard. “Hamaba” is one of my favorite recordings from that record, and towards the end of the song it truly feels like he is using all 21 strings.
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It was written that on the day of his death he woke up and asked his wife to bring him his Kora. After playing his favorite songs, he called her back over and whispered in her ear once more, followed by a prayer, and then he went to sleep and never woke up again.