Desert Blues

Tinariwen, ‘Tassili’

As a lover of world music I was floored when I first heard a track from this album while listening to KCRW. Tinariwen, the Saharan, nomadic blues-rock group’s new album Tassili strides across several genres to produce something so unsettling and so good that you just might feel you are hearing something in music for the first time, something from the cellar of your heart.

For this release they’ve invited in a few friends as well. Nels Cline contributes a beautiful guitar to opener “Imidiwan ma Tennam”, two members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band add rough texture to “Ya Messinagh”, and TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe, who traveled out to the desert recording site, are on hand on five songs, adding subtle backing harmonies and even a bit of lead vocal on one song.

A world music favorite this year and a strongly recommended must buy! Also, don’t miss them live if you get the chance.  For more info click here!

I am always searching for new world music, if you know of a great album that you think I should check out please share!