Talking Timbuktu - Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder (1994)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ngTimbuktu.jpg

This one's new to me but sounds promising.

^ Thanks, fazstp. I know that album and it`s pretty good.
Actually most of the MB album clubs limit the nominations to one per person per poll, so I might hold this album over until the next round, if that`s ok by you. But thanks again - your enthusiasm is appreciated !

I found the Orient Blue suite on youtube & loved it. I could not find anything else from the album
Is there a link to listen to the album?
John Mclaughlin & Paco de Lucia & certainly great guitarists

^ Passion,Grace and Fire is our first pollwinner, so it`s time to track it down and give it a listen !

Nominations for albums are always welcome - if you post one now, it`ll be entered for our next poll, which will take place from 7 to 15 August.

I'll throw out a nomination for one album that'll definitely be a contender for my album of the year this year.

Mamani Keita - Gagner l'argent français (Working for French Money), 2011

http://www.theartsdesk.com/media/k2/...72dd63a_XL.jpg

Mamani Keita's 3rd solo album is another extension of her expert fusion sensibilities. On Gagner l'argent français, she mixes traditional Malian folk music with western rock, funk, and electronic styles. Each of the 10 songs has an undeniably unique personality, granted in no small part by Keita's own vocal style. While she sticks closely to the traditional west-African chanting that's common in her culture, she also augments it at times to fit the eclectic blend of sounds that she fronts on this album.

Perhaps most importantly, Gagner l'argent français is an album that celebrates diversity. I have not found an official lineup for the album, though the sheer number of instruments from different cultures that can be heard throughout is a testament to this. Though it covers a lot of ground, the heart of this music comes from Africa and is an expression of Malian culture. Fun fact: Since Mamani Keita is Malian royalty, the caste system in her country technically forbids her from making music. She is the sister of the "golden voice of Africa," Salif Keita, who broke this taboo many years ago, and she naturally followed suit. I like the think the world is better off for it.

Note: This is not an easy album to find. As far as I know, there are no full songs on youtube from this particular album (the title tracks on there begin about halfway through the song, skipping the beautiful intro to the album.) There are a few songs from her previous albums on there, but she has evolved her sound since. Of course, I would be happy to assist anyone looking for this in PMs. In any case, here is one song from her second album (that I have yet to track down and listen to), Yelema.

This song is not representative of her sound on Gagner l'argent français.

My thanks to everyone who has nominated an album so far - they make for a very varied and interesting bunch of albums.
This post is just to let you know that the recent poll has just closed, with Irish Heartbeat by Van Morrison and the Chieftains as the winner. So it`s time to give that album a listen before we open a discussion thread for it on August 21.
Any new nominations would be welcome; they`ll be entered in our next poll, which`ll also be opened on August 21.

Don`t forget that it`s your nominations and comments that`ll keep this club alive so please keep them coming !

This Is Fire (2006) by Spires That in the Sunset Rise

http://batlyrics.com/v_images/album/...s_fire-big.jpg

Felt like we needed a new suggestion or two to help this thread become more active. So... here you go. This Is Fire, Spires That in the Sunset Rise's most accessible album, is not only a great entry point for the band (an all-female one at that), but also free folk and avant-folk. Of course, I use the term "accessible" lightly mainly due to the fact that this album is still very experimental... Squeaky/beautiful violins, ominous guitar playing, and vocals similar to that of The Raincoats and (occasionally) the almighty Comus. This band is slowly becoming one of my favorite folk artists... along with Big Blood, Jandek, and Bert Jansch, and I hope we all get a chance to listen and discuss it in the future. :)

Desertshore (1970) by Nico

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...esertshore.jpg

You probably know of this album... So I won't say too much about it. It's experimental, folky, dark, drone-like, and it has very unique female vocals. I'll finish on a few quick notes: she's not tone-deaf (like many claim), she has the most interesting solo career out of all the other Velvets (in my opinion), and this album isn't completely murdered by her harmonium playing (such as in a few of her previous releases). That's all...

I hope this helps...

"DESERT WIND"-OFRA HAZA

http://991.com/newgallery/Ofra-Haza-...ind-452246.jpg
From the late Nineties, this was Ofra's attempt to reach an international market without abandoning her Israeli Mizrachi roots.
A gorgeous album, IMO. Ofra Haza passed away of Aids related illness
I'll post some tracks soon

^ Thanks for the nomination, Moshe. Looks like a good one. It`ll interesting to see how it makes out in the next the poll, which`ll be opened on Sept 7.

In the meantime, we have a new poll-winner, Exuma by Exuma. So now we all have a week to find it and give it a listen before a discussion thread is opened up, which`ll also be on Sept 7.