Two days ago the guitarist Ali Farka Touré died of bone cancer, at the age of 67. I have one album, Talking Timbuktu (1994, collaboration with Ry Cooder), and intend to look for more; it’s laid-back, complex and richly textured, not demanding but elegant. (I find Cooder often too heavy in his collaborations, but in this one he’s not too overwhelmingly present.) Touré is famous for blending the music of his native Mali with modern western blues; on the basis of my one album I’d call the result a success. I’ll certainly be tracking down another album or two when my eMu downloads turn over.

As well as his record releases, he seems to have had quite an effect in Mali, both as a musician and in more social terms as mayor of Niafunké. Basically, he seems to have been a good dude, he made some beautiful music, and it’s a shame he’s dead. Those so inclined might like to say a prayer for him.