In Heavy Rotation: Vieux Farka Toure – The Secret – Six Degrees

Vieux Farka Toure feat. Derek Trucks – Aigna

I’m not sure if he is the biggest star of African music at this moment, but Vieux Farka Toure might be the most talented. Three records into his musical career, Toure continues to shine with his latest LP “The Secret,” in my opinion his best release. While his father styled (or was marketed) as an African bluesman, Vieux pushes boundaries especially here with some interesting collaborations. I’ll admit that I was worried when I heard Dave Matthews was doing a song with Vieux, as well as John Scofield and Derek Trucks, but things never devlove into Paul Simon-ville. In fact, I think the collab with Derek Trucks is one of the most fantastic things I’ve heard this year, particularly because by playing with Toure highlights a facet of Trucks guitar playing that can be drowned out when plays with his own band or with the Allman Bros. Playing simple slide electric blues would have been fine, but Trucks melds the slide with Qawwali and other influences to match Toure. Here you have two men with enormous shadows hanging over them, Ali Farka Toure and Duane Allman, and both create a separate space all their own. Guaranteed to be on my year end “Best of 2011” list.