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Concert Pick
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Billboard, Concert Pick >>
SAHARAN CLASH
Mainstream success for African bands is rare, but Mali's Tinariwen - guitar-toting Tuareg tribesmen from the Sahara - could change that, judging by the ecstatic European press reception for its third album "Aman Iman (Water Is Life)" (Independiente/Sony BMG).
The album was released Feb. 5 across Europe; a U.S. release on World Village follows March 23 Tinariwen joins U.K. guitar bands Travis, Embrace and Gomez on Independiente's roster and press coverage has emphasized the potential of its earthy rock sound to reach way beyond a "world music" audience. "We just call it guitar music," says lead singer/songwriter Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, who counts Ali Farka Toure and Mark Knopfler among his influences.
The band formed in 1982. but it was a 2001 meeting at a festival in Mali with Robert Plant and his guitarist Justin Adams that spawned its 2003 debut, "The Radio Tisdas Sessions." Adams produced the album and released it on his own U.K. indie. Wayward; a second album. "Amassakoul" (2004), appeared on London-based IRL. The band claims combined global sales of 80.000 for the two, released by World Village in the United States.
Tinariwen begins a 16-date U.K. tour March 19 before hitting Europe's summer festivals. Booking is by London-based Sasa Music; Eye for Talent handles U.S. shows. The band is signed to EMI Music Publishing.
Nigel Williamson
(excerpt) 02/17/07
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