MOG Editorial Review

With the help of famous guests like Nels Cline and members of TV on the Radio, Mali legends Tinariwen seem poised to move from cult act to stateside sensation with the release of Tassili. Rather than let the guests become a distracting presence, though, the band's sound remain front and center with singers like Kyp Malone respectfully adding subtle touches in the background on "Asuf D Alwa." There's a rock-based influence at play on standouts like "Walla Illa," but the band still create the chant-heavy, bluesy Malian sound that brought them fame in the first place here, and Tassili has the band crafting that sound with as much passion as they did 20 years ago.