Khruangbin and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré announced a collaborative tribute album to Vieux’s late father and legendary African musician Ali Farka Touré. The aptly named Ali arrives on September 23 via Dead Oceans and the quartet previewed the record with “Savanne.”
Ali Farka Touré, who sadly passed away in 2006, was one of Africa’s most renowned and influential musicians. His merging of Malian musical styles with American blues created the groundbreaking genre now known as “desert blues” and earned him the nickname the “African John Lee Hooker.” Ali influenced contemporary African artists like Tinariwen and Etran Finatawa as well as American groups including Khruangbin.
So naturally, Vieux Farka Touré chose the psychedelic rock trio — guitarist Mark Speer, bassist Laura Lee and drummer DJ Johnson — to help pay tribute to his father. The eight songs on Ali are some of Vieux’s personal favorites of his dad’s.
“I want this album to convey love,” Vieux said of the collaboration. “It is about the love that Ali brought into the world. It is about the love that I have for him and that Khruangbin has for his music. It is about pouring your love into something old to make it new again.”
“We made this album to honor Ali’s life and body of work,” Khruangbin added. “We hope this collaboration enlightens more people to Ali’s musical legacy.”
Preview Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré’s Ali with “Savanne” below:
Ali Tracklist:
- Savanne
- Lobbo
- Diarabi
- Tongo Barra
- Tamalla
- Mahine Me
- Ali Hala Abada
- Alakarra
