This was built from the DNA of 7 different Ali Farka Toure tracks. Most of them are in the same key, which made this a lot easier. I wanted to work with the drone and the trance rhythms, and use that to push as many textures as I could get away with.
In short, head trip music for headphones. The drums were assembled from several field recordings of Calabash players (thanks to Drew Heller from Toubab Krewe) and a studio session with Oumou Sangare's live band.
Also: yes, the end is deliberately jarring. Good trips are usually like that.
credits
from
Mahdi Rock,
released 11 November 2009
Arranged, Mixed and Mastered by Ivan Vilavonavich