Posted on 06/12/2009
"Fondo" means "the road" or "the departure" in the West African Songhai dialect, and in his second full-length recording, Vieux Farka Touré escapes the shadow of his father, Ali Farka Touré's musical legend, to forge a path of his own. And what a picturesque route he's chosen.

Blossoms of blues, mountains of Malian melodies and eruptions of rock n' roll form a lush landscape ripe for Touré's musical exploration and intoxicating vocals. It's clear from the first notes of "Fafa" that Toure's wizardry lies in the electricity of his fingertips. The strings of the electric guitar bend to his will, molding their patterns into whichever rhythm their conductor deems appropriate at the moment. Touré's prickly, melodic calls coat the edges of each arrangement, giving the senses a little something to sway into for the remaining ten tracks.

The drenching rat-tat-tats of the talking drum on "Aï Haïra" are sure to ignite the stagnate soul, and the drum's boiling acceleration on "Sarama" are classic examples of true musicianship. Ah…I only wish I knew what he was saying, but lyrical ignorance is blinded as the deserted chants on the traditional Malian song "Walé" cascade into mystic proportions. Touré's tribute to his native "Mali" incorporates a guitar solo reminiscent of Prince in his heyday, and even reggae vibes are convincingly stitched into this colorful tapestry, offering a more than welcomed journey throughout the Diaspora.

Keep your eye out for this emerging artist. Vieux Farka Touré's departure could very well be Malian music's triumphant return.

- Andrea Boston