On this their third album - a natural extension but leap forward from last year's exciting Amassakoul - this large ensemble from the sub-Sahara still sound like a brittle, fiery blues band transplanted from the south side of Chicago into the desert. A few of these players wereonce soldiers and some are nomadic, but even not knowing that, this music would still be compelling.
With producer Justin Adams tightening, toughening and giving immediacy to their singular sound, Tinariwen deliver an album that is incendiary (Assouf, where guitarist Ibrahim Ag Alhabib works the wah-wah pedal like Hendrix), soul-filled (the loping Ahimana) and downhome in a desert kind of way (the moody acoustic Soixante Trois).
With ululations, shouts, handclap rhythms and chantlike choruses there is a strong and earthy exoticism at work. And the trance quality of the rhythms, stinging guitars and mesmerising mood is commanding and utterly contemporary.You won't understand a word (although there are translations in the booklet) but it will speak to you - and dare you to look away.
Stunning. Expect this in many best-of-the-year lists.
Verdict: Got them ol' sub-Sahara nomadic blues again
