Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté: Ali and Toumani (Nonesuch, 2/23/10)
Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté: “Ruby”
[audio:http://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ali_Farka_Toure_and_Toumani_Diabate_Ruby.mp3|titles=Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté: “Ruby”]
As two of Africa’s most internationally renowned musicians, guitar legend Ali Farka Touré and kora phenom Toumani Diabaté have displayed impeccable abilities while integrating the styles of other cultures into their ethnic sounds.
Each Malian, the two collaborated for the acclaimed In the Heart of the Moon in 2005, shortly before Farka Touré’s passing in 2006. Fortunately, the two set aside time to record new material before touring for In the Heart of the Moon, and the result is another beautiful set of duets that sees a posthumous release.
Throughout Ali and Toumani, Farka Touré roots each creation in melodious African-blues pieces. Diabaté’s virtuosity accents each track in the form of fanciful scales, which at times evoke classical harpsichord passages, perhaps most notably on “Sabu Yerkoy.”