Touki at Poynton Community Centre

Touki - the collective created by British-Senegalese musician Amadou Diagne and Franco-American Cory Seznec - are back touring for the release of their second album ‘Plastic Man’, produced by Oscar Cainer at the renowned Real World Studios, with arrangements by virtuosic American cellist/violinist Duncan Wickel.

Touki’s sound infuses East and West African styles and traditions with Appalachian banjo, folk motifs, and orchestral arrangements. Performing live, Diagne’s driving percussion and Seznec’s muted guitar-picking or rapid-fire banjo combine with Marius Pibarot’s dynamic cello-grooves provide a rhythmic foundation, while powerful vocals, lyrical kora and soaring violins add beautiful texture and emotional depth.

Their new album focuses on both social and spiritual matters, weaving together West African fables and personal stories while exploring the shared challenges we all face. At their shows, they invite the audience to journey into their world and experience the exciting sound of a unique cultural collabortaion.

“A scintillating sequel to Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder’s Talking Timbuktu” - Rolling Stone

“Gritty, attractive, scintillating… enough inventive ideas to fill not just one but several albums.” - Songlines

“an album verging on the essential” - RnR Magazine