Niafunké on the Niger

As member of Ali Farka Touré's "ASCO" group since the age of 13, Afel Bocoum's first solo album captures the spirit of the late great man's style, adding his own unique twist which he calls "Arabo-Muslim....in the Great River tradition."

As this first album shows, he is very much an artist in his own right, presenting a music that captures the twists and turns of daily life on the Niger.

Afel plays lead guitar, and with his group Alkibar, is accompanied by other local instruments which include the Njarka (a one stringed violin), Njurkle (a mono-chord guitar) and a small chorus of male and female singers. Listen carefully and you'll hear the great man of Niafunké himself on two of the tracks, although Afel proves to us with this first offering, that Niafunké has a new and powerful voice that has been waiting in the wings.

Afel Bocoum - Alasida

Afel Bocoum & Damon Albarn (see his album Mali Music) who joins Robert Plant in the queue of UK artists converted to Mali Music