From Bamako to Bangui via rue Dauphine in Paris, 2 live sessions on set with the Malian artist Vieux Farka Touré and the funky lunar Bibi Tanga & the Selenites.
Our 1er guest is Old Farka Touré who presents his new album Roots.
The eminent Malian guitarist Old Farka Toure release their new album Roots on the World Circuit label. Touré, known as the “Hendrix of the Sahara” is the son of late “Desert Blues” pioneer Ali Farka Touré; the scrapbook Roots is Touré’s first album on the label and his first since 2017. The title Roots underlines a deep reconnection with the songhai music of northern Mali known as “Desert Blues”, made famous by his father via his own World Circuit releases decades earlier.
A popular proverb in Mali says that the surname of life is synonymous with change. It’s a saying that Vieux Farka Touré has followed throughout his career, through a series of adventurous cross-border explorations and collaborations. But, there is another more universal saying that to know where we are going, we must know where we come from. It is this essential human need to embrace one’s heritage that is at the heart of the album. Roots.
Son of the late Ali Farka Touré, considered the best guitarist Africa has ever produced, Vieux spent two years making Roots, but the album had already been in the making in his mind for even longer. ” I wanted to do a more traditional album for a very, very long time. It’s important for me and for the people of Mali to stay connected to our roots and our history. », explains Old. He took advantage of the period of confinement caused by the coronavirus epidemic, which prevented him from going on tour, to write the most profound statement of his career to date.
Roots is the sixth solo album by Vieux, whose recording career began in 2006 and which has given rise to daring collaborations with artists such as Dave Matthews and jazz guitarist John Scofield, to an album with singer-songwriter American Julia Easterlin and two records with Israeli artist Idan Raichel under the name Touré-Raichel Collective. ” Early in my career, people asked me why I didn’t just follow my dad. But it was important for me to establish my own identity said Old. ” Now that people know what I can do, I can go back to those roots with pride and hopefully some authority.. »
Recorded in Bamako in Vieux’s home studio, the album’s timeless grooves are steeped in traditional West African music. But the fire of Vieux’s guitar playing and the urgency of his songs’ messages add a thoroughly contemporary relevance. ” We’re nothing if we don’t show respect for our past », notes Old. ” But we can also marry modernity with the strength of our traditions. »
The ten songs, all original compositions, cover a range of traditional and contemporary topics. ” In Mali, many people are illiterate and music is the main way to transmit information and knowledge. “explains Old. ” My father fought for peace and as artists we have an obligation to educate about the issues facing our country, to rally people and guide them to reason. »
” Going back to the roots of this music is a new start for me and I’ve never spent so much time or worked so hard on an album. », said Old. ” I knew it had to be deep, long-lasting and powerful so I took a lot of time to think about how to make it and set it up. »
Titles performed at the big studio
– Gabou Ni Tie Live RFI see the clip
– Rootsfrom the album Roots
– Ngala Kaorene Live RFI see the clip.
Line Up: Old Farka Tourévocals and guitar – Adama Konecalabash
Sound: Benoît Letirant & Fabien Mugneret
► scrapbook Roots (World Circuit / BMG 2022)
► Read on RFI Music
Then we receive Bibi Tanga & the Selenites to present the new album The Same Tree
Since 2008, the official date of the creation of the sound Selenites, not a continent that has not heard the retro-futuristic sounds of the men of the moon. With more than 200 concerts to their credit, in Paris, New York, Dakar, Bombay, London, Istanbul, Bangalore, Los Angeles, Bangui, Douala… From Asia to America, from Europe to n Africa, thousands of bewitched earthlings danced to the rhythms of the men of the moon. Bibi Tanga & the Selenites crisscrossed the planet, stringing together the unstoppable pieces that accompany us and remain in our minds. Of red wine To My heart is jumpingof Be Africa To poetofthe soulthe quintet has, since its formation, found its place in many playlists.
Around the vibrations of the deep voice and the bass of Bibi Tanga, Eric Kerridge (figure of the funk scene and guitar vertebra of the Malka Family), Arthur Simonini (ultra-eclectic defector from the National Conservatory and composer of film music, notably for Céline Sciamma) and Arnaud Biscay (virtuoso drummer, heard as well with Michel Portal, Adrien Soleiman, Malik Djoudi or Philippe Katerine) are led by the enigmatic and prolific Tireless Professorartistic platinum player and great wizard of samples.
For their return, Selenites have drawn on their multiple influences to concoct for us a groove as danceable as it is hypnotic.
Titles performed at the big studio
– Kindagoso Live RFI
– Like A Rolling Stonefrom the album The Same Tree, see the clip
– Trouble (I don’t mind) Live RFI
Line Up: Welcome Tangabass and vocals – The Tireless Professorturntables – Karim Attoumaneelectric guitar – Arthur Simoninikeyboard and violin – Arnaud Biscaybattery
Sound: Benoît Letirant & Fabien Mugneret.
► scrapbook The Same Tree (Tireless Disc 2022)
– Watch the clip The Good Side of your Face
Rebroadcast November 13, 2022