Of all the original American bluesmen, Taj Mahal has always seemed to be the closest to his chosen genre’s African roots, and yet, when the veteran teamed up with Toumani Diabate, venerated Malian master of the kora, back in 1999 to record a joint album, many were taken by surprise. “Kulanjan” – that was the title of their work – turned out to be arresting and still underrated, despite the accolades courtesy of Barack Obama ten years down the line, which is it’s about time to reassess this latter-day classic.
– Kulanjan Revisited
It will emerge afresh on March 5th, 2027, newly remastered – dubbed “Kulanjan Revisited” now – in two variants: on double vinyl, for the first time ever, as a two-CD and Blu-ray box set. The second version feels essential thanks to a slew of previously unreleased outtakes from the recording sessions, immersive mixes and copious liner notes from the producers, whose number includes the legendary Joe Boyd.
CD 1:
1. Queen Bee
2. Tunkaranke
3. Ol’ Georgie Buck
4. Kulanjan
5. Fanta
6. Guede Man Na
7. Catfish Blues
8. K’an Ben
9. Take The Hammer
10. Atlanta Kaira
11. Mississippi-Mali Blues
12. Sahara
– Kulanjan Revisited
CD 2:
1. Kulanjan (take 1)
2. Queen Bee (take 1)
3. Yiriba Bileni
4. Mississippi-Mali Blues (harmonica mix)
5. Big Legged Mommas Are Back In Style
6. Tunkaranke (take 1)
7. Ol’ Georgie Buck (BBC Maida Vale Studios, November 1999)
Blu-ray
* Album and Outtakes:
– Dolby Atmos 48kHz
– Auro-3D 96kHz – stereo 24/192kHz
* Original 1999 Mix (2026 remaster) – stereo 24/44.1kHz
* Videos – Later… with Jools Holland – November 14th, 1999:
– Ol’ Georgie Buck
– Take This Hammer
* Original 1999 Album EPK
