As soon as he took to the stage Daby Touré’s melodious, haunting voice rose to celestial highs, taking the audience with it.
Touré played an intimate set of tracks from his second solo album Stereo Spirit, produced by Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records, on which he plays all the instruments.
Dexterously combining electro-acoustic guitar playing with drumming the fret board, Touré was accompanied by Julien Chalet on drums while bassist Samba N’Diaya grooved, uniting them in funky knee- lifting rhythms.
Born in Mauritania, Africa, Touré is influenced by his culturally diverse upbringing and sings in four African languages plus English and French, having left his Saharan roots for Paris 20 years ago.
Blending jazz, reggae and pop influences, Touré sings of love, hope, mystery and peace with a vitality which is both humble and invigorating.
Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up, one of the few English-language songs, was well received, but the fact most of Touré’s set was in languages many couldn’t understand didn’t matter.
The music creatively transcended barriers and definition. As he says: “My songs are about giving people an emotion, making them feel good.”
Daby Touré is a unique rising star to look out for.
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