In The Heart Of The Moon

ALI FARKA TOURÉ & TOUMANI DIABATÉ – “In the Heart of the Moon”
Nonesuch, 2005

Two giants of Malian traditional music team up for this stunning album of guitar/kora duets (some tracks add bass, perc, synth). Very much a back-porch, lazy-day kind of feel. Most tracks set up a steady, repeating rhythmic pattern and the two take turns improvising. Both musicians have a gorgeously lyrical technique that sucks you in and makes you forget the passage of time. Highly recommended.

Fo’s picks: ALL! (#5, 6, 10 are my favorites)

1. 4:55 – relaxed, gently rocking rhythm, beautiful picking, a few words tossed in
2. 5:06 – midtempo walking rhythm, rather hypnotic, almost a lullaby
3. 5:04 – an easy sway, with synth (Ry Cooder!) & perc. way in the background
4. 3:58 – bright and upbeat, light percussion in background
5. 6:24 – engaging, perky shuffle: guitar & kora make strong harplike statements
6. 4:00 – uptempo duet: nice catchy walking rhythm, made me smile
7. 4:34 – a Latin touch! Midtempo lope with bass guitar, synth + a quiet vocal
8. 3:30 – country summer feel, layered with simple bassline & cute riffs
9. 4:23 – gentle midtempo, lightly rolling with an afropop bassline
10. 3:21 – uptempo and fun, sort of like a Malian “La Bamba”
11. 4:17 – medium walking rhythm, with relaxed bass + perc
12. 5:05 – slow and sleepy, with extra guitar (Ry Cooder), bowed bass

[Fo] – 11/4/05