Talking Timbuktu vividly illustrates the Africa-Blues connection in real time. Ali Farka Touré, one of Mali's leading singers and guitarists, has a trance-like bluesy style that, although deeply rooted in Malian tradition, bears astonishing similarity to that of John Lee Hooker or even Canned Heat. World Music experienced Ry Cooder is the perfect counterpoint in these extended songs/jams.

• Grammy Award-Winning Classic Album
• Features Exclusive Vinyl-Only Track
• Double LP on 180 Gram Vinyl
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman
• Includes Download Code

When Ali met Ry Cooder in 1992 they really bonded and Ali later presented him with the first instrument he made, a one-string lute called a djerkal. Recorded in just three days in LA in 1993 the resulting collaboration 'Talking Timbuktu' well deserved its Grammy Award. Relaxed and accessible, the music is complimented by Ry's subtle guitar work and sensitive production while retaining the integrity of Ali's performance.

Ali Farke Toure and Ry Cooder have long treasured each other’s recordings. They first met in London in 1992 while both were touring Europe. It was agreed that they should 'try something together'. This ‘something’ became ‘Talking Timbuktu’, a Grammy award-winning classic album.

In September '93 Toure was set to play a string of dates in the States and a week was set aside for recording his new album. Cooder was to play on a couple of tracks. A few hours’ rehearsal at Cooder's Santa Monica home hinted at inspiring possibilities. The Malian guitarist's next three Californian dates all featured Cooder as special guest. The recording followed a week later by which time Cooder had agreed to produce the entire album and play on every track. The whole album, recorded in three days, is now available on vinyl with an additional previously unreleased track.

Talking Timbuktu is a groundbreaking record that vividly illustrates the Africa-Blues connection in real time. Ali Farka Toure, one of Mali's leading singer-guitarists, has a trance-like, bluesy style that, although deeply rooted in Malian tradition, bears astonishing similarity to that of John Lee Hooker or even Canned Heat. It's a mono-chordal vamp, with repetitive song lines cut with shards of blistering solo runs that shimmer like a desert mirage. Toure may be conversant with some blues artists, but it is unlikely that artists like Hooker or Robert Pete Williams ever heard these Malian roots, which makes the connection so uncanny. Ry Cooder, well versed in domestic and world guitar styles, is the perfect counterpoint in these extended songs/jams, his sinewy slide guitar intertwining with his partner's in a super world summit without barriers or borders. - Derek Rath


Track Listing:

LP1 Side A
1. Bonde
2. Soukora
3. Gomni
4. Sega

LP1 Side B
5. Amandrai
6. Lasidan
7. Keito

LP2 Side C
1. Banga
2. Ai Du
3. Diaraby

LP2 Side D:
4. Lasidan (vinyl only alternate take)

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