Les Racines
World Circuit Records (47 mins)
As the son of one of the world’s greatest ever musicians, it’s understandable that Vieux Farka Touré has spent his career making increasingly adventurous albums and collaborations to step out of his father Ali’s shadow. He accomplished that – now he returns to the source. The results are simply outstanding.
The direction of Les Racines (The Roots) is clear from its first few seconds. Twanging Saharan guitar, earthy ngoni, calabash and karinyan (iron scraper) keeping a grooving 6/8 time over one delicious chord – we’re back in deep Songhai territory, and this is Songhai blues at its finest. There are some big-name Malian guests – Amadou Bagayoko on guitar, Cheick Tidiane Seck on organ and Madou Sidiki Diabaté on kora – but there are no frills here. It’s all in service to the roots and it all gravitates around the heady riffs and solos of Vieux’s guitar, spiralling into the past while roaring resolutely in the present.
Vieux has embraced his role as Ali’s musical heir while retaining his own voice – in doing so he’s created a classic. This is an album that may well compel you to scrunch up your face and let forth a guttural blues howl in public – don’t say I didn’t warn you.