In the Heart of the Moon

This is an exquisite album from Ali Farka Toure that presents some of his best work. It grows on you when listening to it again and again. Although other albums are perhaps better known and have some catchy tracks (e.g., "Talking Timbuktu" and "The River"), this album is almost perfect. "Kadi Kadi" and "Gomni" are especially good tracks; "Monsieur le Maire de Niafunké" has an engaging bass riff that stands out. We were very fortunate to have had Ali Farka Toure among us, albeit for all-too-short a time. He lives on forever in this music.

The music from this album will take you to another world. What's even more impressive is when you find out the two musicians recorded the music unrehearsed.

This album is brilliant - a good choice for those new to Toure's artistry, and those already devoted fans.

A GREAT COLLABORATION BETWEEN ALI FARKA TOURE AND TOUMANI DIABETE. I HAVE ALMOST ALL OF TOURE'S ALBUMS, AND THIS ONE REALLY STANDS OUT, IT IS UNREHEARSED SPONTANEOUS JAMMING WITH DIABETE, WHO PLAYS THE KORA. I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE SOUND OF THAT INSTRUMENT ON THE CD "MUSIC FROM THE HEARTS OF THE MASTERS" WITH JACK DEJOHNNETTE AND FODAY MUSA SUSO, WHICH IS YET ANOTHER OUTSTANDING RELEASE. THE KORA IS A 21 STRINGED INSTRUMENT THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN A GUITAR AND A HARP. THIS IS A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL, VERY MUSICAL CD THAT ANY MUSICIAN OR MUSIC APPRECIATOR WILL ENJOY A LOT. TWO SUPERLATIVE MUSICIANS.

I read from one review that not even 5 million stars could rate this album. I agree. If you are a musician, and you know what it gets to play what these 2 wise monsters of music play, you know that what you have in front of you requires technique, inspiration, and lots of wisdom...

I have heard this CD a million times, and every time I listen to it I just stop whatever I am doing and see myself traveling in some magic world of feelings, conversations. Have you heard "Mamadou Boutiquier"? What a perfect masterpiece! How could in the earth someone just get together, play, and create such a beauty? How can two people, without rehearsing, who have only played once together, who play different music traditions, create something like that? How the song evolves, build its momentum through a progressive intensity, cries out so loud the power of music?

And Hawa Dolo? Ali Farka's song, not one of my favorites, reaches a different dimension in this version. The nostalgic power of this song is difficult to equal.

Kala, Debe, and Kadi Kadi's solos... my gosh! I don't know, I listen to this music and I feel overwhelmed with humility, with admiration to how much these two musicians must know about life, about human beings, about the strings inside us, to do what they just did.

Remember that this is not an improvisation, as Ali says in the cover. They both knew what they were playing, even though they had never played together. They understood a language that for most of us is a mystery.

Thank you Ali Farka and Toumani, the beauty of your work is so inspiring!