Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré Release “Tongo Barra” off Upcoming Album

Musical trio Khruangbin and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré have released “Tongo Barra,” a preview of their upcoming collaborative album Ali. The project honors Vieux’s late father, Ali Farka Touré, who helped shape African desert blues throughout his career.

Khruangbin trio pose in front of blue wall with Vieux Farka Touré
Photo Credit: Jackie Lee Young

Over five minutes long, “Tongo Barra,” is accompanied by a visualizer of hypnotic patterns. Sung in the Malian Songhai dialect, the single is engrossing and captivating. “Tongo Barra” is a fuse of blues, dub, and groove, as is the highly anticipated album which releases on Sep. 23.

The single release is the newest from the pairing, with the lead single “Savanne,” released earlier this year with widespread acclaim. All 8 songs included on Ali pay homage to Ali Farka Touré, with a renewed West African blend that Khruangbin and Touré hope reaches new generations and audiences. Ali Farka Touré’s music touched so many and is consistently ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Cover art based on the original work ”Homme Du Sahel” by Abdoulaye Konaté, 2015. Courtesy of Primo Marella Gallery, Milan. 

Prior to the album’s release, the collaborators announced listening sessions at SEY in Brooklyn and Fringe in Paris. Attendees can immerse themselves in the music and enjoy bespoke tea in a respectful setting. Attendees will be selected at random through a ticket lottery with winners chosen on Sep. 9. The pairing will not be in attendance but the event will have voiceover introductions from the artists. For a chance to attend, visit here.

“Tongo Barra” from Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré solidifies the group’s creativity and commitment to honoring a late musical legend. The single pulls you in and the album, Ali, is sure to include tracks created to do the same. Stay tuned for when the full album releases on Sep. 23.

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