The Mand‚ Variations is Malian legend Toumani Diabat‚'s first solo recording in 20 years and it is a stunningly beautiful, immediately accessible blend of traditional melodies, original compositions and breathtaking improvisations from the world-renowned virtuoso of the kora, the 21-stringed West African harp. According to London's The Guardian, 'Diabat‚ mixes fearsome technique with a deep humanism and a magical ability to improvise scintillating runs out of thin air.' American concertgoers who saw Diabat‚ with members of his celebrated dance band, the Symmetric Orchestra, on his spring-summer '07 tour in support of his previous World Circuit Nonesuch disc, Boulevard de L'Independanc‚, witnessed a performance that was nothing short of astonishing.

The first ever international album from Djibouti and Ostinato's first studio recorded album. This ain't a compilation or reissue! A stunning collision of Indian Bollywood, Jamaican dub and reggae, sleek horns inspired by Harlem’s jazz era, Somali funk, and the haunting and joyous synthesizer melodies of the Red Sea by Groupe RTD, one of East Africa’s best kept secrets. Recorded in three days with a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio replete with the very best audio interfaces and carefully positioned microphones around a less than soundproof room to achieve a vibrant, professional sound while maintaining the analog warmth of decades prior.