When Tal National released their last album at home in Niamey, Niger, it sold out in a day. For the rest of us now's our chance to find out why, by listening to the band's first international release, Kaani.

LISTEN

audio Tal National
Kaani (Fatcat Records)

Tracklist

Stream ends Sept. 12

Tal National’s story began in 2000, when Issoufou Moumine (known onstage as Almeida), judge by day, rocker by night, formed the band. The group, which can range from six to a dozen members (click on "open gallery" for a few pictures of the band), draws from multiple traditions, including soukous, Afrobeat and desert blues, with a rock attitude. Its first album was released six years after the band formed, something of a feat in a country as poor as Niger. There, few can afford instruments, much less studio time.

Kaani was recorded in an abandoned studio in Niamey, with songs sung in three languages, Zarma, Haossa and French. The music, we suspect, won’t need a word of translation to enjoy.

Alongside the release of Kaani, Tal National is on its first tour outside of Niger, with two stops in Canada, at the Lula Lounge as part of the Small World Festival in Toronto on Sept. 26, and they play Pop Montreal on Sept. 27.