Amadou & Mariam Merge Tradition with Innovation
Malian blues duo Amadou & Mariam just dropped a greatest hits album while noting how they’re intrigued by the sounds of Billie Eilish.
desert blues
Mdou Moctar Holds Nothing Back on Extraordinary ‘Funeral for Justice’
Even by Mdou Moctar’s high standards, Funeral for Justice is extraordinary. Its music and lyrics are searing, and the messages are essential in 2024.
Tuareg Guitar Godfather Abdallah Oumbadougou
Abdallah Oumbadougou’s music is astounding, with guitar lines that seep into one’s pores and lyrics addressing revolution, homesickness, and lost love.
Tinariwen Take an Intriguing Outlaw Country Turn on ‘Amatssou’
Tinariwen link Nashville and North Africa on Amatssou in ways well suited to a definition of outlaw country that includes their rebellious rock.
New Ali Farka Touré Music Surfaces on Star-Studded ‘Voyageur’
Voyageur is as complete and wondrous an album as anything Ali Farka Touré put out during his lifetime, in no small part due to the work of his son, Vieux.
Reissues of Tinariwen’s Early Albums Recall the Saharan Group at Their Most Iconic
Unimpeachable in both technique and sincerity, Aman Iman and Imidiwan are potent assemblages of the qualities that make Tinariwen’s music evergreen.
Malian Desert Rockers Tamikrest Advocate for Unity and Diversity on ‘Tamotaït’
Tamikrest's Tamotaït adds a welcome lyrical side to their brand of Saharan desert rock. The group advocate for both unity and diversity in wonderfully dulcet tones.
Tinariwen’s ‘Amadjar’ Is a Particularly Well-Polished Jewel
Saharan collective Tinariwen reign over a star-studded album of sincere desert blues on their latest gem Amadjar.
Samba Touré Speaks the Truth on ‘Wande’
Malian desert blues musician Samba Touré speaks his barebones truth on the striking Wande.
Sidi Touré Throws All of Himself Into the Ecstatic Desert Blues of ‘Toubalbero’
Toubalbero expands the desert blues concept as Sidi Touré creates ecstatic compositions from familiar sonic elements.
Tinariwen: Inside/Outside: Joshua Tree Acoustic Sessions
This five-track, half-hour live set is an offshoot of the longer album Emmaar.