That Afel Bocoum is the protégé of Ali Farka Toure is apparent as soon as you hear his guitar work--there's the same fluidity and muscle in his lines and a very similar raw, bluesy feel to the playing. But, unlik... more »e Toure, that's the only place you'll find something that sounds like the blues. Bocoum's music is far more African than that of his mentor, full of unison singing or call and response between his voice and a female chorus. While Alkibar might be less immediately accessible to Western ears, it's still a powerful record. Bocoum has depth in his voice and resonance in his writing, which appears completely timeless, the slave to no fashion--African or Western--at all. Toure has obviously chosen his successor well. --Chris Nickson« less
That Afel Bocoum is the protégé of Ali Farka Toure is apparent as soon as you hear his guitar work--there's the same fluidity and muscle in his lines and a very similar raw, bluesy feel to the playing. But, unlike Toure, that's the only place you'll find something that sounds like the blues. Bocoum's music is far more African than that of his mentor, full of unison singing or call and response between his voice and a female chorus. While Alkibar might be less immediately accessible to Western ears, it's still a powerful record. Bocoum has depth in his voice and resonance in his writing, which appears completely timeless, the slave to no fashion--African or Western--at all. Toure has obviously chosen his successor well. --Chris Nickson
CD Reviews
Beats Niafunke
Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 10/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd and Ali Farka Toure's NIAFUNKE cd were recorded within days of each other in the same broken down building and with some of the same personnel. That and a Toure-inspired style of guitar playing by Afel are where the similarities stop.
Afel's voice isn't as low as Ali's and his music has the feel of indigenous sounds that seeped out of the Malian soil. It's as if centuries of Malian traditional music are coming to life in the spirit and hands of a guitar player. For lack of a better word, Afel's music sounds much more "tribal" than does Ali's.
For the uninitiated, Toure's music (his best cds are the wonderful NIAFUNKE and RADIO MALI) are probably a better place to start. His mixture of deeply soulful blues and Malian music may be an easier transition into Malian music than Bocoum. But once you get your feet wet, by all means buy this cd! Make no mistake about it, this is not watered-down "Afro-pop". This is a beautiful expression of Malian spirituality and culture.
A few months ago I saw Afel open for Ali in concert. Ali's set (of which Afel was a part of) was very good, but Afel's opening set was incredible. Both these men are true musical treasures, and with this being Afel's first cd under his own name and direction, I don't hesitate in saying that ALKIBAR is just the beginning. This is one of the best cds I've bought in 2000."
Absolutely one to own
David R. Nelson | Buffalo, NY United States | 02/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a very good, worth-owning first attempt by Afel Bocoum. Alkabar has a thoroughly Mali, West Africa feel to it. Bocoum's interaction with the chorus gives a tribalaspect. Accompanying instruments are traditional and not overdone. There isn't any thumping drumming, for example. The music is steady, without the pregnant pauses and rests that accent performances by Ali Farka Toure. The cuts can become somewhat monotonous to the uninitiated until the final cut when Afel works without chorus. Here is where his real artistry shows. Too bad it is the end of the CD. There isn't really much for Western ears to latch onto otherwise. Comparisons with Toure are inevitable, of course. Toure's rhythms are more varied and an American-style jazzy, bluesy feeling strikes the listener immediately. Toure is the more accomplished musician, but Bocoum has plenty of time to develop. For now I would have to say that Alkabar is something like an anthropological field recording and very enjoyable while Radio Mali by Toure is a real creation. Keep on doin' Afel."
Beautiful!!!!!!
Rose | San Diego, CA | 10/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is wonderful. I don't consider myself particularly savvy about "world music"-- so don't have much in the way of descriptive words. All I can say about this one-- which was kindof an impulse buy- is that I am in love with the combination of instrumental sounds and voices. The liner notes say that it was recorded on the banks of a river-- and I hear those river sounds. It is both soothing and lively. I highly recommend it..."
Beautiful, calm, organic, accomplished...
Stargrazer | deep in the heart of Michigan | 09/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bocoum's fluid, cyclic acoustic guitar in simple settings of percussion and njarka by the banks of the Niger river is the premise of this album, and it is carried through with effortless virtuosity.
Like his mentor Ali Farka Toure, Bocoum is a farmer first -- his love and understanding of the land is evident even if you are entirely ignorant of the various Malian dialects he sings in. This is a beautiful landmark of Malian guitar music."
Original, yet reminiscent.
Govind Seshadri | Bangalore, India | 10/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Afel Boucoum grew up as the protege of the great Malian troubadour Ali Farka Toure. While this album reminisces the sound and atmosphere of Ali Farka Toure's earlier works like "The Source" or "The River", it nonetheless comes across as one of the most honest and evocative efforts yet rendered by any Malian musician. Very highly recommended!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1