Alternate Vision

The legendary Afro-blues musician from Mali left us today. I learned to value his music properly only after Larissa (former afro beat band coordinator) introduced me to the cultural signifiance of his music. Like most other big artists from the continent, Ali came from a humble background (worked as a taxi driver, mechanic and a river ambulance pilot). He used to borrow guitars when he first started his musical career. He hails from Niafunke, a town in the north west of Mali which he eventually became the Mayor of in 2004.

His music was strongly influenced by Cuban dance music in the 70s, the Rumba from Zaire, Guinean guitarist styles, James Brown and Otts Redding. He pioneered the adaptation of the Sonhrai, Peuhl and Tamascheq guitar styles which come from the three dominant ethnic groups in the region.



My favorite album of his is Talking Timbuktu, a collaboration with Ry Cooder. Rest in Peace!