Ali Farka Touré
The first album made outside Africa, cut in London after World Circuit tracked him down.
Ali Farka Touré, 1987
- Released
- 1987
- Recorded
- 1987
- Studio
- London
- Label
- World Circuit / Mango
- Producer
- Nick Gold
World Circuit brought Touré to Britain in the autumn of 1987 to make this record, after Andy Kershaw played his red Sonodisc album on BBC Radio One. Nick Gold produced it, and Toumani Diabaté stood in as calabash percussionist. All the songs are by Touré. Two of them, Bakoytereye and Bakoye, were recorded at Capital Radio Studios in London on 13 September 1987, and the closing Amandrai was recorded live at the Crossing the Border Festival at the Town and Country Club on 5 October 1987.
The New York Times wrote that Touré picks out patterns so light and lilting that their intricate cross-rhythms sound easy. The Los Angeles Times noted that he concentrates on measured, mid-tempo tunes that showcase his throaty vocals and rich guitar tone. Tchigi Fo and the first Amandrai do not appear on the vinyl.
Track listing
- Timbarma5:08
- Singya5:26
- Nawiye5:40
- Bakoytereye5:02
- Tchigi Fo4:30
- Amandrai7:19
- Kadi Kadi5:27
- Yulli5:19
- Bakoye4:10
- Amandrai (Live)10:01
Personnel
- Ali Farka Touré vocals, guitar, calabash, bongos
- Toumani Diabaté calabash on Amandrai
- Nick Gold producer
More from Ali Farka Touré
The River (1990), The Source (1992), Talking Timbuktu (1994), Niafunké (1999), In the Heart of the Moon (2005), Savane (2006), Ali and Toumani (2010), Voyageur (2023)
Sources
- Ali Farka Touré (album), Wikipedia
- Ali Farka Toure obituary, The Guardian (2006-03-08)