As a guitarist in Ali Farka Touré's tour band, the Malian Samba Touré (no relation) learned the tricks of the trade. After being exposed to all kinds of musical styles during the many tours, he decided to form his own band: Fondo, back in Mali. With this band he recorded the CD Songhai Blues: Homage To Ali Farka Touré. The typical desert blues of the man to whom he pays tribute on this CD is
… colored in with western influences. This has resulted in long hypnotic tracks often based on a single guitar riff, rousing female choirs and the occasional unexpected accent in the form of a flute or a traditional violin (sokou). Besides moral messages, the texts mainly contain treatises on the many facets of Malian culture. It is a pity that no translations have been added because the meaning of the lyrics escapes Western ears. (MS)more
