Alkibar Gignor La Paix

(2012/Mississippi Records) 10 tracks
Alkibar Gignor hails from Niafounke, a dusty town in the North of Mali nestled along the banks of the river Niger and a few hours from the historic Timbouctou. It’s legendary in its own rite, renowned as hometown of Ali Farka Touré. The town has encouraged a generation to follow in the footsteps of their patron saint. While Alkibar Gignor is trained in the folkloric repertoire of their predecessor, they have reached out into new territory, forging a sound that is pure rock – distorted electric guitars, frenetic drumming, and energetic vocals. Their songs are representative of this new direction in Northern Malian music.