The music of northern Mali is best known to Westerners through the dusty, dreamy jams of great guitar master Ali Farka Touré. But with Touré’s passing in 2006, it’s past time to look for new talent from this corner of the world. Released by Thrill Jockey, Koïma is the second album issued in the U.S. from guitarist/songwriter Sidi Touré (no relation to Ali Farka). He hails from Gao, a picturesque town nestled along the Niger River in northeast Mali, and he shares Ali Farka’s love of informal, beautiful jam sessions among friends. Koïma expands on Touré’s first release by adding more players, achieving an ensemble sound. You can hear some of the folk instruments of his region on this album, and the playing is stellar. Relaxed, virtuosic without being flashy, this is beautiful music.
“Tondi Karaa” (download):
