Mali All Stars

The influence of music from the west African state of Mali is disproportionate to its population.  

Much of the best from the last decade has been recorded at the Bogolan studio, which was set up by musician Ali Farka Toure.

Mali All Stars includes two CDs and a DVD of music recorded in the studio. 

The first CD features a good selection of sounds relating to more traditional music.

But these include the electric desert blues of Tinariwen. 

The second combines with more Western dance music, with Amadou and Mariam mixing with the likes of Bjork and M.

It is an all round excellent introduction.