For a long time, the son of the famous and late Ali Farka Touré had to answer the endless questions, the pressing requests of his admirers, the difficult duty of memory. Old Farka Touré took his time to honor his family origins and his native land. His album, “Les Racines”, reconnects with the acoustic mood of a Songhai Blues that has identified a culture. This record is also a call for unity in Mali that this brilliant guitarist hopes for more than ever.
Immersing yourself in the ancestral heritage of one’s elders is always a challenge. Old Farka Touré knew full well that the simple fact of nourishing himself with an authentic paternal musicality would arouse comments and, sometimes, criticism. How could he, anyway, escape the comparisons? He had to accept this state of affairs and shape his image with rigor and determination, without ever betraying his truth, nor the inescapable weight of the heritage. So, at his own pace, he developed a tone, embraced the spirit of the times and multiplied encounters. In 15 years, Vieux Farka Touré has released around ten albums, inscribed his name in “The Epic of Black Music” and crossed paths with many personalities including Toumani Diabaté, John Scofield, Amadou Bagayoko, among others. …
Always eager to bring new ideas to fruition, “ Old as his many admirers affectionately call him, recently teamed up with Houston, Texas-born band Khruangbin to craft a bold album simply titled “Ali.” Entirely composed of titles borrowed from his father, this disc revitalizes historical works such as the famous “Diaraby”, recorded in the past by Ali Farka Touré and Ry Cooder. This recent production, however, does not seek to restore the sound texture of the late patriarch. It’s more of an Afro-triturated rereading of melodies that have remained in our memory. We are a long way from the album “Les Racines”, more rooted in tradition.
Beyond his inspiring artistic creations, Vieux Farka Touré wants to act for the common good and safeguard the cultural riches of his native country. His social activism manifests itself through “Amahrec Sahel”, a valiant humanitarian association intended to support citizen initiatives in Mali. Formerly, Ali Farka Touré, mayor of Niafunké, acted with conviction to help his fellow citizens to live with dignity. Her son now seems to be inspired by this surge of natural generosity. His music is the reflection and the indisputable expression of this.