The Secret Six Degrees Records****

Word has it that the late, great Ali Farka Touré frowned on his son's musical ambitions. But Vieux persevered and, with his third album, looks set to break through to the international audience that eluded his father, the master of Malian "desert blues". Produced by Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno and featuring guest appearances from heavyweight Americans, including the Allman Brothers' Derek Trucks and jazz guitarist John Scofield, The Secretstrikes a fine balance between old and new, preserving the essence of Malian blues – hypnotic, interlacing guitar grooves – and adding the backbeats and hooky choruses that should get it some radio play in the West. Coming soon to a wireless near you is All the Same, a collaboration with singer Dave Matthews, which artfully blends Touré's driving guitar with lyrics in English and a big, anthemic chorus. See vieuxfarkatoure. com

Download tracks: All the Same, Gido