Radio Mali

RADIO MALI features songs recorded for broadcast on Radio Mali between 1970 and 1978.
Personnel: Ali Farka Toure (vocals, guitar, njarka violin, ngoni, Peul flute, percussion); Bra Nabo (violin, njarka violin); Fangha (njarka violin); Nassourou Sare (ngoni).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Ali Farka Toure's Radio Mali features Malian radio appearances from 1970 to 1978, which were among the first performances to bring the West African guitarist/singer's work to the attention of his countrymen. Though it was available for a time as an import CD, Rykodisc's release of Radio Mali marks its debut as a domestically available title. Tracks like "Njarka," "Samarya," and "Biennial" provide insight into Toure's talent from before he was discovered by the world music community at large. ~ Heather Phares