Djely Blues

One of the world's consummate guitarists with a touch, phrasing, rhythmic swing and fluidity to rival any rock’n’roll axe hero or jazz virtuoso, Tounkara was last heard on World Circuit's 2010 Afro-Cubism release. The twanging opener ‘Anklaben’ evokes some of his work on that project, moving far beyond his Mande roots and sounding more like the Jamaican legend Ernest Ranglin or Cuba's Manuel Galbán than a traditional African guitarist.

The Afro-rockabilly of the title-track joins the dots between Memphis and Bamako. The spacey lead lines on ‘Sansénésougoro’ channel cosmic echoes of West Coast acid rock and Jerry Garcia. But ‘Sory Mankanbora’, one of only two acoustic tracks, is more familiarly rooted deep in West African tradition, and on ‘Dianamogo’, ‘Denandiya’ and ‘Alloumasson Dianfama’ he returns gloriously to the electric style he forged with the Super Rail Band, backing Salif Keita and Mory Kant é. However, this time there are no vocals: this is the first purely instrumental set in his long career. Not merely for African music aficionados but a record for anyone who loves the sound of great guitar playing.