While Pope Gregory IX laid the groundwork for the Inquisition in Europe, the powerful Manding Empire in West Africa flourished. Founded by Sundiata (1230-1255), the Manding dominion was characterized by a three level social hierarchy: the noble horon, the dyon captives, and the populous nyamakalas. The nyamakalas were themselves divided into four subgroups: the noumou blacksmiths, the garanke cobblers, the finah mimes, and the jali griots. Born into the jali caste, the singer Mah Damba and her husband Mamaye Kouyate grew up with poetry and music all around them. On this CD, Mah Damba, along with her husband and his ensemble, play ten songs that reflect this rich and proud heritage. Mah Damba sensitively belts out pithy lyrics about such things as cowardly husbands, desiring children, and the benefits of a good family. Mamaye Kouyate and his ensemble gracefully back up the Malian diva with sounds from the guitar, guita fle (percussion instrument consisting of half of a calabash gourd), and the banjo’s predecessor, the ngoni (a four to seven stringed lute). In short, Mali: La Voix Du Mandingue is an excellent CD that features superb musicians and emphasizes the poetic beauty of Malian songs. – John Vallier