Eminent Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré will release his new album Les Racines via World Circuit Records on June 10; preorder the album HERE. Known as the “Hendrix of the Sahara,” Touré is the son of the late “Desert Blues” pioneer Ali Farka Touré; Les Racines is Touré’s debut album for World Circuit and his first since 2017.

I am not very religious, but I do consider myself very spiritual, and if I were to attend a church, it would be something that included the music of these guys. I do not mean to sound overly dramatic, but I was nearly moved to tears several times by the power that I felt coming from this stage. There were four men, two Malian (Muslim) and two Israeli (Jewish), and the music that they make together is as piano player and singer Idan Raichel calls religious on certain songs especially. It was one of my favorite musical experiences that I have ever had.

The beginning of summer is my favorite time of year. It does not hurt that I am a teacher and look forward to some personal time, but it is a time to rejoice for everyone especially in the music world. Festivals start to catch wind, and the discovery into new and old music becomes an inspiration that one will always look back on. In the musical utopian land that Boulder is, there is a new venue for the eTown show that is reminiscent of church, since that is where it is located inside of. On its website it states,“For the first time in 21 years, eTown finally has a home of its own.

It means “My Country”—Mon Pays, that is—to the native Malian, Vieux Farka Toure. According to the guitar virtuoso, the album is a tribute to his home, produced during a period of ethnic and religious strife that has brought unrest to the landlocked West African nation. The hope and zeal behind these songs is tangible.Mon Pays is a beautiful collective piece.

Vieux Farka Touré's latest album was recorded as an homage to his homeland.  Being that his native Mali has been splintered by territorial fighting between Tuareg and Islamic rebels since January 2012, his new album, Mon Pays (My Country), is devoted to reminding the world about the beauty and culture of his homeland.

On September 8, 9, and 10, 2011, a prestigious assortment of the globe’s greatest musicians will gather for ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival, situated in the vibrant micro-urban setting of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. The biennial event provides an unparalleled mixed-genre experience that features performances from many of today’s most distinguished music-makers in a diverse array already being emulated by other festivals.