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If his compatriot Ali Farka Touré evokes the sun-struck Delta ambiance of John Lee Hooker, Boubacar Traoré’s brand of “African blues” has more in common with Robert Johnson’s fatalistic, dark-side-of-moon sorcery. Like a lone troubadour at the crossroads, his storytelling is veiled in a more complex, occult shade of indigo. His keening voice is at once primal, poignant and sensual, steeped in tragedy but starved for life, and he wields his exquisite, kora-inflected guitar like a talisman against the bitterness of fate. But on Kongo Magni, Boubacar’s realistic, if pessimistic, view of life and its problems is finally granted a fragile silver lining. Although humanity is stalked by war and famine and daily living is marred by petty jealousies, God is nonetheless in his heaven and beautiful new babies are being born to take up the struggle. Accompanied by an empathetic small combo in which accordion and harmonica swirl around earthily resonant kamele ngoni (young person’s harp), balafon (xylophone) and traditional drums, shakers and other percussion, Boubacar is revealed as philosophical, lyrical, resigned, guardedly hopeful and gloriously human.

“This new album, featuring a number of European and African accompanists, brings a welcome diversity to his palette and is perhaps his richest offering to date.”
- The Telegraph

“His new album adds sturdy harmonica from Vincent Bucher to blur the lines between the Sahara and the Mississippi Delta... Proud and stark, celebrating independence and the agrarian economy with impassive dignity.”
- The Financial Times

“Traoré’s approach is quiet and unassuming, more liable at first to disarm than overwhelm. You have to come to him. But then, having been wise enough to do so, you’re in touch with the depth and command of a major artist. This is powerful music, likely to scour your senses clean.”
- Folk Roots

“This is another profoundly moving recording from one of Africa’s greatest troubadors.”
- Songlines

“His sublime guitar playing and beautifully weary voice continue to create transcendent desert blues.”
- Uncut