Featuring a range of musicians from Africa and America, produced by Cobie Ivens
I– Sahara : blues of the desert. (02:12:49 min)
This album features 21 musicians from the so-called Touareg region: The Touareg live across the Sahara and Sahel regions of Africa, with large populations in Algeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Libya. They are known as semi-nomadic pastoralists and traders, and their traditional habitat includes areas such as the Sahara, the Ayr Mountains in Niger, and the Adagh Mountains in Mali. One of the most famous Touareg musicians is Tinariwen. Bandleader Ibrahim Ag Alhabib first heard an electric guitar when a friend played him a Jimi Hendrix tape.
CD. Sahara : blues of the desert. LABEL: Manteca (2005), code: 651.0232.023. VIDEO
II– Ballaké Sissoko. (49:35 min)
According to legend, the cradle of the kora was in Guinea-Bissau. The Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko belongs to the griots, a caste of musicians. The album Tomora features impressive guest artists such as singer Rokia Traoré and his dear cousin and friend, kora player Toumani Diabaté. The album Tomora is a discovery of musical styles from various ethnic groups in Mali and beyond. Ballaké Sissoko plays his instrument with virtuosity, swinging and passion. The music is melodic and has a hypnotic rhythmic pulse. A fascinating album with elegant and refreshing music.
CD. Tomora – Ballaké Sissoko. LABEL: Label Bleu (2005), code: LBLC 2596. VIDEO
III– Albert Castiglia. (01:06:41 min)
New York-born, Miami-based guitarist/vocalist Albert Castiglia takes matters into his own hands with this self-produced album. For Solid Ground, Albert joins forces with multi-instrumentalist and recording virtuoso Dave Gross at Fat Rabbit Studios in New Jersey for his best release yet, featuring a range of material sure to appeal to a broad spectrum of music lovers. In addition to cranking the knobs, Dave Gross provides percussion, upright bass, mandolin, and backing vocals, joined by Albert Castiglia’s regular backing team of electric bass and vocals, drums, keyboards, plus two guitar talents.
CD. Solid ground – Albert Castiglia. LABEL: Ruf Records (2014), code: RUF 1201. VIDEO
IV– Eric Bibb. (01:06:48 min)
It’s hard to categorize Eric Bibb – you could call him a folk singer, but his blues and pop roots always shine through in his performances and compositions. His 12-string fingerpicking sets the tone on songs like “Tall Cotton,” which features a beautiful electric guitar solo by Kahanga Dekula. Eric Bibb adds color to “Destiny Blues,” a Chicago-style blues that features beautiful acoustic guitar and harmonica by Eric Bibb.
It’s also a showcase for his outstanding vocal skills. On virtually every track, Bibb’s singing is soulful and pitch-perfect.
CD. Diamond days – Eric Bibb. LABEL: Telarc Blues (2007), code: CD 83660. VIDEO
V– Keb’ Mo’. (43:17 min)
In 1994, singer/guitarist Keb’ Mo”s self-titled album was enthusiastically received by electric blues enthusiasts. “Keep It Simple” is his seventh album; the first he produced himself. It’s a warm, atmospheric record, without production frills, with many lyrics expressing a longing for simple values in this chaotic world. The gospel influences are notable, and a highlight is the loving tribute to B.B. King, on which he is joined by fellow guitarists Robben Ford and Robert Cray.
CD. Keep it simple – Keb’ Mo’.
LABEL: Okeh (2004), code: 88697385002. VIDEO
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