Radio Mali may not be the Malian legend's best-known work (that accolade would go to his swansong, Savane, or Talking Timbuktu, the collaboration with Ry Cooder) but it my opinion it's one of his most essential.
The recordings on this album were originally made for radio broadcast in the 70's (hence the title) and this is one of Toure's most traditional album. As ever, he plays what has been dubbed 'African Blues', accompanied only by an acoustic guitar or two and the njarka violin, a single-stringed instrument that sounds like nothing else (have a listen, you'll see what I mean).
As with the best of his work, Radio Mali is a slow-burning album that may take some time to worm its way into your head, but it's worth perservering with. Toure's hypnotic guitar playing is frequently stunning, and his voice has a suprising range for someone who was often referred to as the African John-Lee Hooker (even if, like me, you can't understand the words).
If you are at all interested in the blues or African music then this album is essential. Ali Farka Toure recorded many albums, but this collection, one of his earliest, is one of his very best.
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