What's on your playlist? Khaira Arby

Bernard Perusse, Gazette Music Critic 

What's on your playlist? Khaira Arby

Khaira Arby: a powerful voice in the Malian desert.

/ Pop Montreal

Khaira Arby

On her most recent disc, Timbuktu Tarab, Khaira Arby’s forceful voice pierces through the furious buzz of the guitar lines, the intricate rhythms and the insistent drone provided by her stellar band. It’s hypnotic Malian desert blues, comfortable right beside the guitar explorations of the late Ali Farka Touré (who, incidentally, was Arby’s cousin).

Arby is on tour now, promoting the album and winning new converts. While she makes her way to Montreal, she has sent a list of her favourite songs:

1. Imidiwan Ma Tenam Tinariwen

2. Bassekou Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni ba

3. Iyo Djeli Oumou Sangaré

4. Tabara Vieux Farka Touré, featuring Ali Farka Touré

5. Djelika Toumani Diabaté

6. Laban Salif Keita

7. Kairi Kairi Samba Touré

8. Achachore I Chachare Akale Tartit

9. Sanka Nyonko Fantani Touré

10. Africa Habib Koité

Khaira Arby performs Monday at 8 p.m. at La Sala Rossa, 4848 St. Laurent Blvd. Tickets cost $15 to $20. To order, visit www.popmontreal.com.

