-By Dr. Rhythm

The darlings of the desert are back with their gritty blues, which is more Malian Grateful Dead to Ali Parka's John Lee Hooker. The bands, who are Tamashek Touaregs, lived in exile in desert camps for years during the rebellion which displaced them from their homeland. They were discovered by the wider world three years ago at the Festival in the Desert and since then have toured the world to acclaim. This is their third album but still has the rough edge that endeared them to the foreigners who first heard them in the Sahara dunes under the moon in 2000. With half a dozen guitars all contributing to the sound they tend to jam on one chord and go into flights of improvised fantasy, some of them just relishing the sound of hammering on and pulling off the frettboard of their electric Gibsons. The ten or so singers clap their hands and find a chorus that goes with the groove. It's an instant trip to the remotest part of the globe, with mint tea and kif to help us on the imaginary journey, instead of the canned soda and dry crackers of more tangible airlines.