Ali Farka Toure

Ali Farka Touré (born 1939 in Niafunké, Mali) is an African blues singer and guitarist, known throughout the continent as one of its most famous performers. As the first African bluesman to achieve widespread popularity on his home continent, Touré is often known as "the African John Lee Hooker". Musically, the many superpositions of guitars and rhythms in his music are more reminiscent of R.L. Burnside hypnotic blues style. Touré usually sings in one of several African languages, as on his breakthrough album, Ali Farka Touré, which established his reputation in the world music community. 1994's Talking Timbuktu, a collaboration with Ry Cooder, sold promisingly well in western markets, but was followed by a hiatus from releases in America and Europe. He reappeared in 1999 with Niafunké, a more traditional album focusing on African rhythms and beats. Touré is noted as the mentor to popular Malian musician Afel Bocoum.