African band Tinariwen churns out great Rock

            Wexner Center for the Arts’ Black Box series: Tinariwen—tonight in Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. (614-292-3535)

            Tinariwen, a rock band from Mali (in the Southern Sahara), has played the world’s major music fests, including Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD.  In recent years, the rock band’s Festival in the Desert has drawn international players and praise.

            The septet’s new album, Amassakoul, is simply one of the best rock albums of 2004.  The back jacket reads “file under Africa/Mali” but it could be placed on one’s shelf next to anything with songs carrying deep hypnotic grooves.  Every tune contains qualities that make for memorable music: harmony melody and rhythm.

            Tickets cost $13 to $15 at the Wexner/Mershon box office (614-292-3535) and Ticketmaster.