Last month I was incredibly excited to find out that Tinariwen had a new album out. My excitement was tempered by the fact that I couldn't find the damn record in the U.S. Then, today I came upon the excellent world music download site (.99 cents a song, no DRM) Calabash Music. And there was Aman Iman, Tinariwen's new masterpiece.For those not in the know, Tinariwen is composed of Tuareg rebels who fought for independence from the government of Mali. Since 2001, they have traveled the world performing their songs of resistance and hope. Originally, Tinariwen was little more than a few friends who got together to jam around a campfire, but exposure to electric guitars led to the creation of a new style of African music- one which hypnotizes and grooves with hints of rap and psychedelia. And while their music is not funk by any means, the group's bass player, Abdallah, could easily be at home playing with Parliament, James Brown, or for that matter, any band Bootsy Collins has played in!I was lucky enough to be backstage when Tinariwen played at the Santa Monica Pier, and I danced and cheered and wished they could play all night. Swathed in layers of blue cloth, now used solely for celebrations, the Tuaregs were traditionally known as the "blue people" for the way the indigo dyed their skin.For an excellent biography of the group, as well as quite the history lesson on Tuareg revolutionaries, go here.Watch Tinariwen performing "Arawan", a tribute to the Tuareg leader Ahmad Baba Massufi, a 16th centruy Malian writer and political philosopher.
CrashPryor says
...at LAST someone who knows that a "*Tuareg*":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuareg is not a Volkswagen!...this is really cool and thanks for the linkage...YOINK! world music jones, prepare to be sated...
Puffmagic says
I'm sure they're honored to have a luxury SUV named after them. It's the ultimate reward for their struggle! Just like the ancient Camry Tribe and the hardy Lexus CLK350 Nation.
tiwon says
This is great stuff! Thanks for the links. If you are all looking to tweak your "music jones," I am a big fan of the Sublime Frequencies label. Their "sound collage" collections and compilations of international radio broadcasts are top notch.
fog says
i'm impressed!
and reminds me of the music i listened to, when i was in tansania. though they had a complete different background of course. but still.
very nice.
ciphermedia says
If you're interested in World Music - and particularly if you're into (like me) world music fused with other genres - electronic, funk, dub etc - you should check out "Six Degrees Records.":http://sixdegreesrecords.com/home.php
They also have a weekly radio show called Six Degrees Traveler which is about an hour or two long (on constant rotatation) on iTunes Radio in the Eclectic or Electronic sections. Each week's show is usually themed and they have some amazing music - none of which I've ever seen posted on Mog. If I ever get it together I'll post some of the stuff I've sourced from them.
Well worth checking out!!!
Larry Thrasher says
I like this band alot! Tauregs, what a beautiful people. I used to buy lots of Taureg jewlry for no real understandable reason, I just love their whole aesthetic. Does Tinariwen have any Bay area appearances on thier schedule? L
fistula spume says
Wowsers! That was pretty cool. That Calabash site looks promising. I do not need any more ways to spend money on music! I like this Tinariwen you speak of. It's very hypnotic and soothing. I'll file under afro-trance-rap. Thanks for posting!
Twig says
Thanks for the complement! I just posted a drum I made when I was living on a commune in Vaginia. I think you'll like it. It's not a very good pic but that will soon be resolved. Cheerios!
birkin moi says
Hello Kate
Thank for your comment about Asi se fondo Carnaby street (http://carnabys.blogspot.com). I see that yo like ye-ye french music. The italian and spanish music from that time, 60's, is very nice as well. I'm going to up more thing this week. And thanks again
Birkin moi
Guthorm says
I already own other two albums from Tinariwen ("Anassakoul" and "Radio Tisdas Sessions", who can also be downloaded from iTunes, who was what I did) and was lucky enough to have a listen to their concert in Torino (Italy), this month. It's weird how sub-saharian African music can melt with western influences and north-african sounds. And they are very good at it! :-)
Last month I was incredibly excited to find out that Tinariwen had a new album out. My excitement was tempered by the fact that I couldn't find the damn record in the U.S. Then, today I came upon the excellent world music download site (.99 cents a song, no DRM) Calabash Music. And there was Aman Iman, Tinariwen's new masterpiece.For those not in the know, Tinariwen is composed of Tuareg rebels who fought for independence from the government of Mali. Since 2001, they have traveled the world performing their songs of resistance and hope. Originally, Tinariwen was little more than a few friends who got together to jam around a campfire, but exposure to electric guitars led to the creation of a new style of African music- one which hypnotizes and grooves with hints of rap and psychedelia. And while their music is not funk by any means, the group's bass player, Abdallah, could easily be at home playing with Parliament, James Brown, or for that matter, any band Bootsy Collins has played in!I was lucky enough to be backstage when Tinariwen played at the Santa Monica Pier, and I danced and cheered and wished they could play all night. Swathed in layers of blue cloth, now used solely for celebrations, the Tuaregs were traditionally known as the "blue people" for the way the indigo dyed their skin.For an excellent biography of the group, as well as quite the history lesson on Tuareg revolutionaries, go here.Watch Tinariwen performing "Arawan", a tribute to the Tuareg leader Ahmad Baba Massufi, a 16th centruy Malian writer and political philosopher.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (20)
Wow! Thanks for posting the video.