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.
mali
Liberation Blues: Tinariwen Invoke the Sahel’s Complex History on ‘Amatssou’
Connections with Jack White and Daniel Lanois are great, but West African blues collective Tinariwen had to navigate Covid and political unrest to deliver their surprisingly exuberant new LP.
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.
‘Kel Tinariwen’ Adds Synthpop to Tinariwen’s Repertoire
Previously released on cassette in Mali, Kel Tinariwen offers a very different sense of style than the rugged sounds for which Tinariwen are so well known.
Malian Legend Oumou Sangaré Glows in Stripped-down Arrangements on ‘Acoustic’
On Acoustic, Oumou Sangaré's inner world shines through with particular clarity as the Songbird of Wassoulou performs stripped-down arrangements of some of the most powerful tracks she's recorded over the last 30 years.
Oumar Konaté Radiates Passion for His Craft on ‘I Love You Inna’
Oumar Konaté shreds, howls, and loves his job on new Malian blues rock release I Love You Inna.
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.
Malian-American Fusion Band Toubab Krewe Releases ‘Stylo’, Sure to be a Hit Live
Globally-minded jam band Toubab Krewe defies narrow classification with often unpredictable grooves on Stylo.
Boubacar Traoré: Dounia Tabolo
Mali's last original bluesman, Boubacar Traoré, takes a trip to the Mississippi Delta on trans-Atlantic triumph Dounia Tabolo.
Leila Gobi: 2017
On new album 2017, Afropop artist Leila Gobi is a one-woman sugar rush.
Rokia Traoré: Né So
With her latest album, Malian singer-songwriter Traoré has made something beautiful and moving from the traumas of war and personal crises