Ascending in the small circle of international "world music" superstars hailing from West Africa (alongside the likes of Youssou N'Dour, Amadou and Mariam, Rokia Traore and Oumou Sangare, among a few others), Malian ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate returns with a follow-up to his 2007 acclaimed debut, "Segu Blue", in "I Speak Fula" (out now on CD, vinyl and for download). Accompanied by his group Ngoni Ba, dubbed "The best rock'n'roll band in the world" by The Independent, Kouyate will tour the UK at the end of October, starting off at the London Jazz Café (21 Oct.), via the newly reopened Manchester venue Band on the Wall (Oct. 22nd), the cities of Gateshead (Oct. 23rd), Leeds (Oct. 24th), Brighton (Oct. 28th), Bristol (Oct. 29th), Guildford (Oct. 30th) and Peel in the Isle of Man (Oct. 31st).

'I Speak Fula' features contributions by top players Toumani Diabate and Vieux Farka Toure, among others.

Tickets for Kouyate's London and Manchester gigs, respectively cost £18.60 and £14.50 (both + booking fee), on sale now the others only seem to be available from the venues directly (check the info below for venue websites/ contact info).

Solange Moffi