Vieux Farka Touré

Vieux Farka Touré (World Village)

-JB

With a name like Vieux Farka Touré, this artist needs little introduction.  From not only a region with such a musical history, but family too, Vieux was destined for at least a peripheral involvement with music, despite his late father’s adamant protestations.  Fate will have her way, and the result is this self-titled album, which, ironically and sadly, contains some of the last recordings of Touré Senior.  It’s not every young artist who can boast of the involvement of masters such as Toumani Diabaté, Seckou Touré, and Yves Wernert on their debut, but then, this album was always going to command attention.

There is a huge amount going on in a relatively short time on this record.  This is counteracted with some great tunes and devishly good playing. “Sangaré” trips along with a mesmerizing lightness of touch that weaves a fresh and edgy sound firmly based in the hypnotic gestures of tradition.  “Tabara,” which features father and son on guitar, is altogether more subdued.  Bassekou Kouyaté’s plaintive ngoni sends out a cry to the women of Mali, to whom it is dedicated.  Touré’s maturity is again evidenced in a duet with Toumani Diabaté, although he does indulge his broader tastes with forays into reggae and unmistakable jazz riffs in places – spot the Miles Davis reference.