CD Review: Ezza's 'Abadaya'

Ezza
Abadaya
Ma Case Production

Tuareg blues guitar music hits the music airwaves once again, but this time it is not Tinariwen, Tidawt, or Toumast. Instead, the North African guitar rockers are Ezza, originally from Niger, but now based in France. The seven track release is loaded with rockin' hooks and licks deep from within the Saharan desert. However, the musical influences may extend beyond the region, but the end result is something of pure magnificence. The fluid guitar calisthenics are very engaging, along with the lead vocals. Fans of North African blues guitar music will like this upbeat recording. Anyone with a passion for African guitar music should check it out, though. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tal National's 'Kaani'

Tal National
Kaani
FatCat

Niger's Tal National is led by Almeida (aka Issoufou Moumine), a leading guitarist from Niamey by night and court judge by day. The music draws upon West African rhythms, soukous, Afrobeat, blues, and rock. The rippling guitars, energetic percussion, and floating vocals represent the great Saharan song traditions in a contemporary setting without straying too far from their Zarma, Hausa, and French linguistic roots. The music is more danceable and structured than other nomadic tunes from the region. The music is also more rooted in rock and blues than full-on traditional arrangements. Nevertheless, the eight long tracks are particularly enthralling and full of dance-floor power. The throaty vocals, fast percussion, and meandering guitar grooves are what makes Kaani shine the most. Still, there isn't anything off-putting anyway. Explore Niger's desert grooves with one of the most influential and hard-working purveyors of the region--Tal National! ~ 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: Ishumar 2 - Guitar Music From North Africa

Various Artists

Ishumar 2: Nouvelles Guitares Touaregues

Reaktion

Just when you thought you've heard of every North African guitar release, the folks at Reaktion bring us a slew of new recordings from the Sahara, including Ishumar 2. The North African compilation release includes some of the rising blues guitarists and ensembles of today. This album contains twelve different guitar groups, including Ibrahim Djo Experience, Amanar, Tarbiyat, Kel Assouf, Nabil Baly Othmani, Moussa Bilalan Ag Ganta, Tiwitine, Moussa Sidi, Tamkilwate, Atri N'Assouf, and Mouma Bob & Imawalan. The groups hail from Mali, France, Niger, Belgium, Algeria, and Italy. Each track includes lead vocals with some background vocals and female trilling. The sounds of the desert never sounded so good. Anyone with an interest in more internationally-known groups, such as Tartit, Tinariwen, Toumast, Terakaft, and Tamikrest should snap up this album. While you are at it, snap up the other albums and digital downloads from Reaktion. Liner notes in French. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kel Assouf - Tin Hinane

Kel Assouf

Tin Hinane

Igloo Records

The Tuareg blues bands have flourished after the rise of the late-Ali Farka Toure. The Tamasheq-language group, Kel Assouf, is made up of members from Niger, Mali, Togo, Algeria, Mauritania, France, and Ghana. The music is a mix of flute, voice, guitar, karkabou, kora, bass, calabash, percussion, and pandeiro. The sounds of the Sahel are breezy and the vocals are superb. The Tinariwen-esque playing styles resemble other North African guitar groups, including Etran Finatawa, Tidawt, Toumast, Tartit, Tamikrest and Terakaft. The jaunty "Afrik" and the beautiful "Tiliadene N'Ashra" rivals that of "Tinariwene" and the solemn "Talit". Kel Assouf is Tamasheq for 'son of the desert' and Tin Hinane is Tamasheq for an ancient Tuareg queen. The importance of the guitar as an instrument of rebellion pervades North Africa and permeates the tracks of Tin Hinane. The incorporation of traditional instruments provides a fine balance between ancient and modern elements that shine through on every track. Travel to the Sahara and let Kel Assouf welcome you into their world. Liner notes in French with Tamasheq song titles. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Afel Bocoum & Alkibar From North Africa

Afel Bocoum & Alkibar

Tabital Pulaaku

Contre-Jour

The music of the late-Malian guitarist, Ali Farka Toure, has inspired a new generation of musicians from Mali, Africa, and beyond. If Ali Farka Toure was your uncle, then you would have a very special introduction to the blues-guitar music of the desert -- North Africa, that is. This is precisely the case for Afel Bocoum. His uncle, Ali Farka Toure, was a musical icon and inspirational figure in his home country of Mali. Afel Bocoum and his band, Alkibar, continue in the musical traditions set forth by Ali Farka Toure in the 1980's and 90's. Tabital Pulaaku means 'Endurance of the Peul culture'. In effect, Afel presents his cultural heritage in a musical fashion for all to enjoy. There are songs sung in Peul, Songhai, and Bambara. Afel's guitar and vocals are backed by njarka, njurkle, bass, calabash, and n'goni instruments. Most of the songs resemble the lighter, acoustic works of fellow desert denizens Issa Bagayogo, Tinariwen, Boolumbal, and Toumast. At any rate, the musical production is first class and the songs are authentic and moving. Start your musical journey with Afel Bocoum and Alkibar today! For bilingual listeners, the liner notes are in French and English. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Music From Niger

Malam Maman Barka
Guidan Haya
Beauty Saloon Music

The traditional music of Niger is brought to life by the gurumi strumming and earthy vocals of Malam Maman Barka. He is the master of the gurumi, a two-stringed instrument with a gourd-resonating body. He is accompanied by Oumarou Adamou on traditional drums (douma and kalongu). This recording features Malam's vocals, his gurumi, and percussion without the use of fancy electronic wizardry or modern rock arrangements. The music is so genuine and mesmerizing that it does not need any embellishments. This is a high quality recording that is intriguing and inviting, despite it's stripped down nature. In essence, this is Nigerien music at its finest. Overall, Guidan Haya is a perfect recording for listeners of West and North African music, including the late Ali Farka Toure, Mamar Kassey, Tartit, and others. Thanks to producer Nathaniel Berndt, the music of Niger is now one step closer to everyone's ear. ~ Matthew Forss