Reviews

Artist:Daby Touré & Skip McDonald
Album:Call My Name
Label:Real World
Tracks:6
Website:http://www.myspace.com/dabytoure

Call my Name would be best described as a collaboration mini-album from Daby Toure with Real World labelmate Skip McDonald. It was produced by both Daby Touré and Skip McDonald with songs written by Daby Touré (Past Time, Lost Voices, Riddem), Daby Touré and B Alexander (Will You Call My Name?), and B Alexander (Sinners, Time Has Come). All tracks are recently re-recorded versions of the B&W Music Club songs on In Session. Interestingly two tracks appear here under different titles; Past Time and Lost Voices. Musicians appearing on this release are Daby Touré (guitars, vocals, bass, drums), Skip McDonald (guitars, vocals, bass) and Keith LeBlanc (drums).

Daby's history is an interesting one; he grew up in the small sand-blown town of Djéole, near Kaédi, on the banks of the Senegal River in Africa which demarcates the frontier between Mauritania and Senegal . His father was a doctor who left for Paris when political and ethnic tensions made life in Mauritania tricky in the late 1980s, to join the family business - the group Touré Kunda , started by Daby's uncles. Daby accompanied his father and slowly became immersed in the immense musical life of the French capital, determined to follow his own path and thus create his own identity He formed a group called Touré Touré with his cousin Omar, which had considerable success in France. Eventually, however, Daby accepted that he had no choice but to branch out on his own, in order to pursue the music which interested him. As a result of his background, his music is a stirring combination of traditional African and French sounds, which create a unique sound. It is clear that he is not only sure, but proud of where he comes from, and that allows him to evolve and explore, musically.

As front man for 21st Century blues project Little Axe, Skip McDonald also refers to himself as a 'child of Africa' although he spent many years immersed in the American Blues of Dayton, Ohio, USA, before settling in London, England.

Thus it was inevitable from the outset that this musical partnership would offer up a variety of sounds and influences.

Daby Toure & Skip McDonald have been jamming together at festivals for years, ever since meeting at the Real World Festival and finding they shared a deep musicalconnection and finally decided to record their colloaboration of West African, Blues and French sounds. Predominantly they keep the sounds distinct from each other but where they crossover the music is without a doubt compelling and even when sung in a language other than English the sound can convey its meaning, taking you on a journey of cultures which speaks to your musical core.

Call My Name's six songs allow the two men's guitars and vocals to blend together effortlessly and intuitively. This is modern music comprised of ancient African and modern American and European forms and from the earliest and pop influenced track, Past Time, it is almost as if you are witnessing a new music form coming into being as it effortlessly intertwines several different layers of music to form one sound Lost Voices has been compared by many to the music of The Police. Coupled with reggae influenced guitar work it sounds thoroughly modern. Time Has Come takes on a jazz vibe throughout. Riddem is a catchy, infectious tune in which the pair are clearly having fun, enhanced by Keith LeBlanc's percussion, whilst Will You Call My Name? demonstrates a reggae groove which, dspite being a little unexpected, works exceptionally well and leaves you wanting to dance or tap your toes.

I have to confess this is possibly something that would have passed me by, but someone pointed me in the direction of this release and I am so glad I did. It is refreshing to hear something that is so unique in today's musical climate and listening to the CD, without a doubt, did my heart good. Trust me, get a copy of this EP, put on the kettle and let yourself be carried away by Daby and Skip to the lands they have called home. It is a collection of music which deserves to be heard right through.

Or better still, catch Daby on his live tour and see what he can really do. I intend to and am in no doubt that I am in for a night of music that will stay with me for a long time afterwards.

Tour

Date	Town	Venue	Website
March 12th	Newcastle	The Sage	www.thesagegateshead.org
March 13th	York	NCEM	www.ncem.co.uk
March 14th	Kendal	Brewery Arts Centre	www.breweryarts.co.uk/music
March 15th	Southport	Arts Centre	www.seftonarts.co.uk
March 18th	London	Jazz Cafe	www.jazzcafe.co.uk
March 19th	Colchester	Arts Centre	www.colchesterartscentre.com
March 20th	Brighton	Pavillion Theatre	www.brightondome.org
March 21st	Bristol	Fiddlers	www.cactusjazz.co.uk

Helen Mitchell

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