Ballaké Sissoko (b. 1968) is a Malian kora player and son of kora master Djelimady Sissoko. He began learning at his father’s school and, at 14, inherited his father’s place in the Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali. He is best known internationally for his intimate duo recordings with French cellist Vincent Segal (Chamber Music, Musique de Nuit) and for New Ancient Strings (1999), a duet album with fellow kora player Toumani Diabaté that revisited their fathers’ original 1970 recording.

Mood and energy: intimate, spare, acoustic. Recommended uses: reflection, meditation.

Sacred Ground Confidence Score: 5 out of 5 stars   Final recommendation: Approved.

Why this artist belongs in Sacred Sounds: A leading kora tradition-bearer whose stripped-down chamber recordings are among the most widely used contemplative kora listening internationally.