Mali memories

CD CHOICE: NIGEL WOODreviews Ali Farka Toure Toumani Diabate

Ali Toumani World Circuit This is the second meeting between two remarkable men from Mali, and it retains all the brilliance and sparkle of their earlier collaboration, In the Heart of the Moon. The album, recorded over three days in London in 2005, trades some of the absolute spontaneity of its predecessor for an extra depth of arrangement and purpose.

Ali Toumani also gains added poignancy from the subsequent death of guitarist Ali Farka Toure, who was already suffering from debilitating bone cancer when he recorded this album. It also marks the final recording of Cachaito Lopez, bass player and fulcrum of the Buena Vista Social Club, who provides perfect subtle accompaniment, along with Vieux Farka Toure, son of Ali, and members of his band on percussion and occasional vocals.

Primarily, though, these are deep beautiful duets of Ali’s guitar with the kora, that extraordinary west African cross between a harp and a lute, of which Toumani Diabate is the most dazzling of virtuosos. From the stately rolling stride of Ruby to the sweet melancholy of Be Mankan, and from the Latin lilt of Sabu Yerkoy to the funky edge of Warbe, and the hypnotic figures of Doudou (named after Ali’s youngest son), every track is an unfolding delight of interplay and artistry. Melodic patterns are woven, embroidered, developed and resolved, producing music that offers an engrossing listening experience, but also works well as a gentle rhythmic backdrop of shimmering mesmeric colour.

The collaboration of these two great musicians represents a unique fusion of different Malian cultural elements: Ali’s folk-blues from the sandy Sahel in the north, and Toumani’s griot background in the mainstream Mande culture further south. Fundamentally. however, this music stands outside genre. It is music of a higher order. www.world circuit.co.uk

Download tracks: Ruby, Be Mankan, 56