Toubalbero

by Sidi Toure

Overview

On Toubalbero, the fourth album of his Thrill Jockey tenure, Malian Songhai blues artist Sidi Toure moves away from the darkly introspective tone of 2013's Alafia with a joyous and lively electric set. Although Mali's politics remain a tenuous concern, the civil war that embroiled the African nation during sessions for Toure's previous album eventually resulted in a 2015 peace agreement, and this shift can be heard in the vigor and vitality of these recordings. Named after a large traditional drum used to call people together in his native region of Gao, Toubalbero brings together a dynamic and decidedly younger group of musicians to back the veteran singer/guitarist, lending a crackle of energy and festivity to the sessions. Employing heaps of distorted electric guitar (Djadje Traore) and amplified ngoni (Ousmane "Papou" Dagnon) for the first time, this is Toure's first truly electric-oriented album and you can hear the band stretching out into complex, heavy grooves on tracks like the fiery "Tchirey," "Handaraizo," and the hard-driving "Kaoula." Recorded live to tape over the course of four days at Bamako's Studio Bogolan and then mixed live at a New York studio by engineer Jason Meagher, the songs have a sprightly flow and gently overdriven texture to them with rhythm section Baba Traore (bass), and Mamadou "Mandou" Kone (drums) propelling the sessions along with muscle and finesse. Rounding out the band is vocalist Babou Diallo, who can be heard in unison, harmony, and echoing response throughout tracks like the wily "BK" and the powerful title cut. Using this newfound volume, Toure extols themes of peace and unity through the might of rhythm and electricity on this confident LP. ~ Timothy Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/2018
Label:	Thrill Jockey
UPC:	0790377044225

Tracks

1. Hendjero Moulaye
2. Bk
3. Djirbi Mardjie
4. Toubalbero
5. Tchirey
6. Hannah
7. Handara¿¿zo
8. Heyyeya
9. Sitiali Boubou
10. Kaoula
11. Tarzidet

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sidi Toure   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Calabash
Ousmane Dagnon   Ngoni
Djadje Traore   Guitar (Electric)
Boubou Diallo   Vocals (Background)
Baba Traore   Bass
Mamadou Kone   Drums

Technical Credits

Sidi Toure   Composer
Jason Meager   Mixing
Abdrahamane Cisse   Photography
Nicolas "Covalesky" Richard   Photography,Producer
Yaya Diarra   Engineer
Sarah Register   Mastering
Sheila Sachs   Design