World Village and Modiba Productions are proud to present Vieux Farka Touré: the self-titled debut by the son of the late international superstar and two-time GRAMMY© Award-winner Ali Farka Touré. The album features Ali himself on two remarkable pieces. These tracks are the only existing recordings of father and son playing together, and are amongst the final recorded material of Ali before his death. The record also features two magnificent guest performances by the GRAMMY© Award-winning kora master Toumani Diabaté.

Vieux Farka Touré’s debut represents an historic passing of the torch from father to son. A highly talented guitarist, singer, songwriter, and percussionist, Vieux has crafted a globalminded style all his own. With flourishes of rock and reggae amidst Saharan Blues and traditional Malian melodies, Vieux Farka Toure ushers in the next generation of Mali blues.

Recorded on location in Bamako in the storied Studio Bogolan by award-winning engineer Yves Wernert, Vieux Farka Touré offers stirring performances by a number of veteran recording stars from Mali including Bassekou Kouyaté, Seckou Touré, and Hassy Sarré. Also featured are many of Mali’s brightest young talents in Mamadou Kone, Adama Diarra, and the sensational vocals of Issa Bamba, who has been hailed by many in Mali as the next Salif Keita.

Ten percent of proceeds from the album will go towards Bée Sago to fight against malaria in Niafunke, the home region of the Farka Touré family in Northern Mali. Bée Sago, a local award-winning organization affiliated with UNICEF, specializes in the manufacture and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to children and pregnant mothers.

Modiba Productions is a music production company committed to the social and economic empowerment of Africa and its Diaspora. They are the creators of ASAP: The Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project, which has raised over $130,000 for the refugees of the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.