CD Review: Imarhan Timbuktu's 'Akal Warled'

Imarhan Timbuktu
Akal Warled
Clermont Music

Formed in 1993, Imarhan Timbuktu is a Tuareg guitar group from Mali and spearheaded by Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar El Ansari. The album contains eight songs about the plight of Tuareg refugees in the camps of Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Niger. Mohamed is a guitarist and vocalist on the album. Mohamed is joined by his brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar El Ansari and backup vocalists, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeina Walet. There is also a lively percussion section that fills in the vocals and guitars with a nomadic presence. The music is soul-stirring and in the vein of other North African guitarists, such as Tinariwen, Toumast, and Tartit. The music saunters along with majestic cadences, back-up vocal trills, and lilting guitars performing memorable riffs, licks, and chords. One of the highlights, "Tarha Tazar," possesses a great rhythm and melody. Fans of North African guitar music will love it. Discover your inner nomad today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Terakaft's 'Aratan N Azawad'

Terakaft

Aratan N Azawad

World Village

The Malian blues guitar group follows up their 2008 release of Akh Issudar (World Village) with a solid Aratan N Azawad. The album's title means 'children of the azawad'. The azawad is the Sahelian region of Tamasheq-speaking Tuaregs in Mali, Algeria, and Niger. The group's name is translated as 'caravan'. The nomadic references reflected in the name of the group and the Sahelian cultural influence is also marked by a few other similar groups from the region, including Tinariwen, Toumast, Tartit, Tamikrest, and others. Terakaft's songs are pleasant and carefully brewed with the finest Saharan sounds to emanate from the sands. Overall, the music is slightly stripped down from their Malian counterparts, most notably, Tinariwen. Additionally, the Tamasheq vocals are relatively rare in recorded music today. Thankfully, one can appreciate and even learn, or at the very least, pronounce this fine language as the songs become more familiar with each listen. The songs range from two-and-a-half to five minutes in length. The characteristic handclaps, bluesy guitar riffs, and light percussion secure Terakaft's presence in the Saharan music scene. Music is more than purely performance; it is a way of life that shines brighter than the desert sun! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Desert Blues - Terakaft

Terakaft
Akh Issudar
World Village

The album title is adapted from the popular Tuareg saying, "Aman iman, akh issudar", which means, "Water is life, milk is survival". Akh Issudar is the follow-up album to Terakaft's 2007 debut (and hard-to-find) album, Bismilla: The BKO Sessions. Terakaft plays Saharan blues guitar music like their fellow countrymen, Tartit, Tinariwen, and others. In fact, Tinariwen's co-founder, Inteyeden Ag Ablil lends support on a few tracks. This album is perhaps more structured and focused than their debut release. Though, their iconic guitar riffs, percussion claps, and vocal melodies bring life to the Saharan desert. After hearing a few tracks, it is easy to find out how the melodies somewhat mimic lilting winds blowing across a sand dune, or by the plods of a camel caravan through a village. Lyrics are provided in the local Tamasheq dialect. If you want to listen to music as beautiful as the brilliantly colored metal and beadwork of Tuareg culture, then buy Akh Issudar (and Bismilla: The BKO Sessions) today! ~ Matthew Forss