Ali & Toumani cover
Released

This magnificent album is deeply rooted in the musical traditions of Mali, but it’s the delicate, deceptively effortless interplay between Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré and master kora player Toumani Diabaté that makes it a truly transcendental listen, speaking to the deep friendship and creative connection between the two. With subtle rhythm supplied by Buena Vista Social Club bassist Orlando “Cachaito” López and Farka Touré’s son Vieux on Congas, the two Malian greats trade phrases across 11 languid, bluesy tracks. Sadly, this  is the last recording of both Farka Touré and López: a fittingly tender, poignant celebration of life.

Megan Iacobini de Fazio

Recommended by

Suggestions
The Morning Star cover

The Morning Star

Daniel Bachman
Tchamantché cover

Tchamantché

Rokia Traoré
Orchestre Du Baobab cover

Orchestre Du Baobab

Orchestra Baobab
Toumani & Sidiki cover

Toumani & Sidiki

Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
Fasiya cover

Fasiya

Sona Jobarteh
Né So cover

Né So

Rokia Traoré
The Glass Bead Game cover

The Glass Bead Game

James Blackshaw
Kanawa cover

Kanawa

Nahawa Doumbia
Welcome to Mali cover

Welcome to Mali

Amadou & Mariam
Folila cover

Folila

Amadou & Mariam