Name: Red Album
Brand: Ali Farka Toure

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

4050538655315

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

180 Gram Vinyl with Obi Strip.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-03-26

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Warner Music Group

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Ali Farka Toure

Genre GB

African

Label GB

World Circuit

Ali Farka Touré, born in 1939 in Kanau, Mali, was a renowned Malian guitarist and the leading figure of Mali blues. He gained international recognition for his collaborations with Ry Cooder, winning two Grammy awards for their album Talking Timbuktu. Touré's musical genius extended to his 2005 release Heart Of The Moon, featuring the talented kora player Toumani Diabaté. Not only a musician but also a peacemaker, he played a vital role in resolving the Touareg rebellions of the mid-90s. After battling illness for an extended period, Touré passed away in March 2006, leaving behind a widow and eleven children.

Touré's unique style and mastery of the guitar captivated audiences worldwide. His music beautifully blended traditional Malian melodies with elements of American blues and folk music. With his soulful voice and intricate guitar playing, he created a sound that resonated deeply with listeners.

As Mayor of Niafunké in Northern Mali, on the outskirts of the Sahara desert, Touré remained connected to his roots throughout his career. His contributions to both music and society solidified him as one of Africa's most influential artists.

British label specializing in Cuban & West African music, founded and led by [a356497].

Label Code: LC 2339 / LC 02339

In the mid 1990's World Circuit releases were distributed by [info provided for reference only]:
Australia - Larrikin Entertainment
Austria - Lotus Records
Denmark - Moskito Music
France - Night And Day
Germany - East West / Talent Independant Service
Greece - Libra Music Ltd.
Italy - I.R.D.
The Netherlands - Music Records B.V.
New Zealand - Elite Imports Ltd.
Norway - Musikkdistribusjon AS
Spain - Arpa Folk Distribucion, S.L.
Sweden - MNW I.L.R.
Switzerland - Recrec Genossenschaft
UK - New Note Distribution

Remastered from the original tapes in 2004 for release on World Circuit, 2021 sees this classic album back on vinyl for the first time since its original 1984 release. In 1982, the great Malian singer songwriter and guitarist Ali Farka Touré, then still in the early years of his recording career, teamed up with the brilliant percussionist Hama Sankare. Together, from a base in Ali’s home village of Niafunké they travelled through Northern Mali, refining a collection of new songs. When they were ready to record they followed the River Niger as it wound down through the desert, to the capital city of Bamako. In one afternoon, the great Radio Mali house engineer Boubacar Traore captured these eight superb performances on two microphones: two voices so close it was thought they were double tracked, one guitar (the distinctive Bulgarian acoustic model that Ali treasured) and Hama’s calabash percussion making its first appearance on record. The album, which includes some of Touré’s best loved songs, was released self-titled with no sleeve notes, just an enigmatic group photo on the cover. It became known as the ‘Red’ album due to the colour of its original sleeve. Vinyl and cassette copies of ‘Red’ began to circulate in West Africa, as well as making their way to Ry Cooder in the US and to specialist journalists and DJs in the UK and France. It was popular in Mali and the Tuareg refugee camps in Libya, where it became an influence on the musicians who came together as Tinariwen. On a tip from Toumani Diabaté and with a copy of ‘Red’ in hand, World Circuit’s Anne Hunt travelled to Mali in the mid 80s to find Ali to invite him to record and tour. An appeal was broadcast over Radio Mali, and Ali, who by chance was visiting the capital Bamako, heard it. Thus began Ali’s incredibly successful international career which took him around the world and resulted in the release of eight acclaimed albums including three Grammy winning collaborations, with Ry Cooder (Talking Timbuktu) and Toumani Diabaté (Ali and Toumani; In The Heart of the Moon).

Red Album

Music GB