The son of the late, great Ali Farka Touré definitely does not live under his father's shadow. After his impressive self-titled debut two years ago, he emerges with Fondo (Six Degrees) , a disc that explores and expands Malian blues with a more global perspective.
Since his first disc came out, Touré has been engaged in a whirlwind of activity - just last year, he went on extensive US tours and also appeared alongside Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley and Senegalese multi-instrumentalist Cheik Lô
Toubab Krewe
Live at the Orange Peel (Upstream)
www.toubabkrewe.com
Listening to Toubab Krewe, you'd never guess that all its members hail not from the Western African nation of Mali, but from Asheville, N.C., where the band recorded its latest disc at the Orange Peel - the same venue where Smashing Pumpkins kicked off their reunion tour last year. Toubab Krewe's trademark sound is a blend of various influences - though Africa is the most obvious reference, there's rock, reggae and New
