Khruangbin and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré have combined on “Tongo Barra” a song off their collaborative album Ali honoring Vieux’s late father, the great Ali Farka Touré, out September 23rd on Dead Oceans in partnership with Night Time Stories Ltd. “Tongo Barra” is an engrossing, nearly six-minute cornerstone of Ali sung in the Malian Songhai dialect, following the album’s beguiling lead single “Savanne.” In February, Khruangbin released their second collaborative EP with soul singer Leon Bridges, Texas Moon.

The songs on Ali are a rightful ode to a legend, a refreshed West African blend of musical reference the pairing hopes reaches new generations and audiences alike. The album will be released the day after Republic Day, Mali’s National holiday commemorating the independence of the Republic of Mali from the Mali Federation on September 22nd, 1960.

Vieux Farke Touré and Khruangbin also announce Ali listening sessions today, taking place the week prior to the album’s release at SEY in Brooklyn and Fringe in Paris. Attendees will get the chance to enter the world of Ali, immerse in the record’s full musical essence while drinking bespoke tea in a respectful conversation free setting. Attendees will be selected at random through ticket lottery on eventbrite with winners chosen Friday, September 9. Vieux Farke Touré and Khruangbin will not be in attendance but there will be voiceover introductions from the artists. See more and RSVP for a chance to attend here: https://deadoc.co/ali-listening-session

Khruangbin and Vieux Farke Touré
ALI
Tracklist
Dead Oceans/Night Time Stories Ltd.

1. Savanne
2. Lobbo
3. Diarabi
4. Tongo Barra
5. Tamalla
6. Mahine Me
7. Ali Hala Abada
8. Alakarra

order ALI by Khruangbin and Vieux Farke Touré HERE