Khruangbin – Ali

I must be fortunate because my pressing sounds great. I do, however, second the observation--and disappointment--of subpar vinyl pressings of their other releases.

They need to press Alakarra on a 7" record. Best song in the album

Unfortunately as stated below, my sealed copy suffers form surface noise on B side. Been to a live concert of this artist on april 23' and I love his music.

Unfortunately a shitty pressing with a lot of surface noise and small pops.

I love Khruangbin but their vinyl pressings are really lacking in quality. From both the actual pressing and sonic standpoint. It’s a shame.

Really poor pressing. Mine came with several large scratches on side B (freshely opened) and constant noise throughout, even on the side without the scratches. Really lack of QC with Dead Oceans... Bummer

Ali Farka Toure (the father of Vieux Farka Toure) had a complex and complicated relationship with success, even acceptance, coming to him very late in life, where dare I suggest that if there are not several of his albums in your collection, you’ve a hole that nothing else will fill. Toure’s guitar playing, stylings and phrasings have been compared to those of John Lee Hooker and even Robert Johnson, though methinks those comparisons should never have been made, as Toure is lightyears beyond either of those artists, featuring a greater more welcoming palette of structures ed by nuances of rapture and delight, along with sweeping gestures that resound without hesitation. And that’s the kicker right there, Toure’s music has no hesitations, only the amazing ability to wrap itself around the listener with grace and reverence.

While Vieux Farka Toure certainly wishes to step out from his father’s shadow, it’s the fact that his playing, his vocals and presentation, are akin to the facial features of one’s parents, impossible to step away from when all is said and done. Yet as good as Vieux is, and for all the spaces he’s moved through (consider his work with composer and pianist Ian Raichel, experimental artist Julia Easterlin or even jazz guitarist John Scofield), it’s not until he returned to his father’s door, his father’s legend with Houston based Khruangbin (meaning flying engine or airplane in Thai), where some of his father’s best and most beloved material is re-imagined and reinterpreted more than successfully; as Vieux has managed to make these numbers his own. That said, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that Khruangbin has never been involved in a release that has been this successful in achieving an end.

It’s rumored that the album was recorded in under six days, and apparently live with minor additions. The result is an album that blissful, happy and unhurried, both in its delivery and for the memories it inspires in listeners. This is not to say that the lyrics can not be pointed and revolutionary, even angry, yet the complexities of contemporary African society and culture are not thrust in your face, leaving injustices and inequality to be presented with love and genuine concern, devoid of fist pounding and stamping feet … with Vieux content to rapture you into submission.

Vieux Farka Toure along with Khruangbin, without whom this outing would be impossible, have created something remarkably beautiful, inspiring and welcoming, a tribute that manages to handle his father’s material in such as manner as to make it all sound like a distant sparse memory, here more full-bodied, drawing the listener inward with welcoming delight and emancipation. This is not to suggest that his father held people at arm’s length, it’s simply that Khruangbin bring an undefined essence to the table that accomplishes the notion of embracing.

*** There are several beautiful coloured vinyl editions of this record, however, I would wholeheartedly suggest that you find your way to the black vinyl copy, as it reveals the music with a more sonic purely. There are inherent issues with the colored vinyl that can not be overlooked. Of course on a whole, some of the coloured vinyl pressings sound delightful, yet I’ve heard very few complaints regarding the black. My black vinyl pressing is flawless (I run a McIntosh system).

WARNING: Lousy 320 bit-rate .

Review by Jenell Kesler

Horrible pressing for a great album !!! Sad but true ... I don't understand why is it so shitty. There's a really big problem with a lot of pressing today.

Awful pressing for a great album, what a shame!!! Words words words

Ali Farke Toure' would be beaming his big smile as he listens to this brilliant reinterpretation of his work.
The soundstage is excellent lots of dynamic, seperation and space.
Vieux and Khruangbin just blend in on this work.
Highly recommended