Boubacar Traoré's Contemplative Blues

BOUBACAR TRAORE

Mali Denhou

Luafrica (distributed by Harmonia Mundi)

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Malian bluesman Boubacar Traoré knows that some times a good song take a while to unfold. Although many of the tracks on Mali Denhou open with guitar riffs that most players have to work up to, Traoré lets his songs unfurl at a pace that finds the seam between blues and trance. That effect is aided by a voice that’s more sexy than smooth, and the dreamy accents with which he adorns it.

Although Traoré is the headliner, harmonica wizard Vincent Bucher create such a musical pas de deux that the two often seem an African analog to John Cephas and Phil Wiggins. Traoré’s blues are smoother instrumentally and gentler in content, but he and Bucher know that meaty hooks and dazzling riffs are the soul of a great blues song. They open “Dundôbesse M’Bedouinato” with single glass-like guitar notes. Suddenly Traoré rips off a run, Bucher blows outs a melody line, and balafon artist Fassery Diabaté eases the tune into a groove. Finding the groove is pretty much Traoré’s stock and trade. Each time he rips off an impressive run it’s in the service of setting a contemplative mood. Check out his opening lines of “N’Dianamogo” and what happens next. All of this could get a bit tiresome, but Traoré has the good sense to know when to change the pace a bit. “Mondeou” has a chunky dominant line that would be at home in Chicago blues, but the melody of “Minuit” employs a folky rolling strum that feels like something Woody Guthrie might have played. Then there’s “Fama,” an instrumental that’s a mash between classical Spanish and West African guitar stylings.

This is an impressive release from a Malian legend who has been whipping out masterpieces since the 1960s. It’s all the more dazzling when you realize that there are no studio tricks involved. What you’re hearing is the first take. It’s almost frightening to think of what he’d come up with if he spent a lot of time. But then again, there’s no need to polish an already gleaming gem.

Here's an old number from Traoré.