Mali

Adam Nossiter, the West Africa bureau chief for The New York Times, is one of the few reporters covering the situation in northern Mali, where Islamist extremists allied with al-Qaida have taken control after a coup destabilized the country in April.

Fresh Air's world-music critic reviews The Mande Variations, the new CD from Malian kora player Toumani Diabate. Diabate says he descends from 71 generations of griots, or traditional song-storytellers.

Guitarist and singer Ali Farka Toure of Mali died March 7 at the age of 66. Farka Toure was a booster of Mali's march toward independence.

World Music critic Milo Miles tells us about the concert he recently attended by the albino singer from Mali, Salif Keita. His new album is "Folon" on the Mango label.

World Music critic Milo Miles reviews two new releases by Oumou Sangare, the woman singer from Mali: "Moussolou" and "Ko Sira" both on Rounder's World Circuit Label.

World music critic Milo Miles profiles Ali Farka Toure, a guitar player from Mali. Milo says Toure's influences are from Africa, but his sound has a lot in common with American blues.