Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder – Talking Timbuktu (LP)

Guitarist Ali Farka Touré has repeatedly bridged the gap between traditional African and contemporary American vernacular music, and this release continues that tradition. Talking Timbuktu features him singing in 11 languages and playing acoustic and electric guitar, six-string banjo, njarka, and percussion, while teaming smartly with an all-star cast that includes superstar fusion bassist John Patitucci, session drummer Jim Keltner, longtime roots music great Ry Cooder (who doubled as producer), venerable guitarist Gatemouth Brown, and such African percussionists and musicians as Hamma Sankare on calabash and Oumar Touré on congas.
Accomplished collaboration by the African luminary and the American stalwart. African music with a Western slant, ethnic vocals and gentle acoustic guitars with a few slides and a tinge of the electric seamlessly blend with other instruments. A few well done Blues numbers add variety. The laidback and relaxing sound is almost jazzy in its effect and approach. For fans and newcomers to African and World music this should be in your collection.