Tidiane Thiam :: Africa Yontii

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Not everyone in my life gets my many musical obsessions.

I grew up in Phoenix, which means that I didn’t have a whole lot of cultural options, but Bob Corritore and the Blues was always a constant in my life. I remember sometimes thinking: “How can this guy play five hours of Blues every week and not get tired of it?”

Years ago, I also knew someone that hosted a regular Reggae radio show that was 3-hours each week and I remember thinking: “How can this guy play five hours of Blues every week and not get tired of it?”

And here I am having professed my love for Tuareg guitar music and music from the Sahel region in general recommending yet another album. I could easily play five ours of Tuareg music, and no, it’s doesn’t all sound the same. In addition to the newest album album by Etran De L'Aïr :: 100% Sahara Guitar, the fabulous Sahel Sounds label recently put out the newest album from Tidiane Thiam :: Africa Yontii.

This one is laid-back.

Relaxing.

Meditative yet driving.

Exquisite interplay. With overlapping melodies.

Enjoy.

Watch “Yewende”:

Group Doueh Live at WFMU (2017)

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Continuing to explore the WFMU Monty Hall archives, here is Group Doueh Live at WFMU (2017).

From the show’s Youtube page:

“One of the most blasted psychedelic Western Saharan combos to hit American shores. Founded in the 1980's, headmaster and guitarist Doueh's raw distorted electric guitar stylings juxtapose western elements of Hendrix and James Brown with the poetry of Hassania language in Saharawi folk tradition, all centered around a big band environment that includes two vocalists. "Unhinged virtuosity" is a common phrase attributed to the sound of Group Doueh, truly a spectacle to behold, and thanks to some high profile releases on the Sublime Frequencies imprint, the band's audience has grown greatly. This gig, presented by Brian Turner's program, also featureed NYC's excellent 75 Dollar Bill supporting. Severe thanks to Doueh, Scott Konzelmann and Glenn Luttman for the mix, Ruth Polduk, Todd Abramson, Bridget Murray for cam work.”

Now if that 75 Dollar Bill set could just see the light of day . . .

Recorded at WFMU's Monty Hall in Jersey City, NJ on October 7, 2017.

  • Visit Group Doueh’s profile at Sublime Frequencies

  • Visit WFMU’s Youtube page

  • Browse Group Doueh’s music at Amazon

Mdou Moctar: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert (2021)

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Tuareg wunderkind Mdou Moctar performs (at home) for the NPR Tiny Desk and this is my love language.

Setlist:

  1. Ya Habibti

  2. Tala Tannam

  3. Afrique Victime

Players:

  • Mahamadou "Mdou Moctar" Souleymane: lead guitar, vocals

  • Ahmoudou Madassane: rhythm guitar, vocals

  • Mikey Coltun: bass

  • Souleymane Ibrahim: calabash

Important People:

  • Video: Mamadou Halidou, WH Moustapha, Sabrina Nichols

  • Audio: Mikey Coltun, Seth Manchester

  • Special Thanks: Dynamique Image and Machines with Magnets

Tiny Desk People:

  • Producer: Bob Boilen

  • Video Producer: Kara Frame

  • Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin

  • Associate Producer: Bobby Carter

  • Tiny Production Team: Maia Stern, Gabrielle Pierre

  • Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins

  • Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

Tamikrest Live In Japan with Oki

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Wowee Zowee! Musical worlds colliding!

Just the other day I featured three songs from Japan’s Oki Ainu Dub Band.

Then, back in March 2020, I featured a live version Tuareg rock group’s Tamikrest song “Itous” as the lead-off track to an introductory mix of Tuareg guitar music.

Now, here is Oki sitting in with Tamikrest in Japan!

The Facebook post by Sahara Eliki simply says:

“Tamikrest live in Japan with Oki　　　＠月見ル君想フ


"Pan kudasai" , en japonais, du pain s'il vous plait”

If you know further context or are aware of other videos, please let me know.

  • Visit my previous post about Oki Ainu Dub Band

  • Listen to or download my Tuareg guitar mix



  • Visit the official website.

  • Follow Oki Dub Ainu Band at Facebook.

  • Purchase Oki Dub Ainu Band’s music at Amazon.

  • Hear "マナウレラ - Matnaw Rera" by Oki Dub Ainu Band on Episode 06 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Supershow.



  • Visit Tamikrest’s official website

  • Follow Tamikrest on Facebook

  • Purchase Tamikrest’s music at Bandcamp

  • Purchase Tamikrest’s music at Amazon

Les Filles de Illighadad at Chicago Music Exchange

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You already know that I dig Tuareg music (browse tagged posts here). I featured the song ““Jori” by Les Filles de Illighadad on Episode 46 of The Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Supershow and have followed the group ever since. Les Filles de Illighadad join Tartit as the number of women Tuareg led groups continues to grow.

As noted in my original post: The group’s Bandcamp page says:

“Sublime recordings from rural Niger. Two very different sides of Tuareg music - dreamy ishumar acoustic guitar sessions, and the hypnotic polyphonic tende that inspires it. Guitarist Fatou Seidi Ghali and vocalist Alamnou Akrouni lead the troupe, named after the village.”

She Shreds recently partnered with Chicago Music Exchange to invite Les Filles de Illighadad to play at CME’s showroom, and to talk with Fatou Seidi Ghali. Watch the fantastic performance here and head over to She Shreds to read the interview.