"This is SENSATIONAL! The album of 2007 and we haven't even finished 2006 yet. There are plenty of bands who know how to rock, but very few who know how to roll. Tinariwen are the masters of roll'n'roll." so said BBC Radio's Andy Kershaw.
"...a mesmeric evocation of the mood of yearning gained through years of exile, all nourished by the vast emptiness of the desert...an album that deserves to hoist Tinariwen onto the international stage occupied by high-profile world music acts such as the Buena Vista Social Club and Ali Farka Toure."Andy Gill, The Independent, 5/5 Stars.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Prior to the release of Aman Iman: Water is Life, it seemed that few people had heard of Tinariwen. Formed in a refugee camp in the southern Sahara desert, this Touareg band have released two previous albums since 2001, garnering awards and critical acclaim around the world. But 2007's Aman Iman: Water is Life is probably their best album yet. It's certainly the most accessible, particularly to music fans who would never dream of delving into world music. The circular rhythms of the bass and drums lay down a simple--almost hypnotic--beat, which is then given a rougher edge by the electric riffs of the band's four lead guitarists. It sounds like an even more primal, stripped down blues taken back to its roots (assuming, that is, that the roots of blues were sung in French and Tamashek). Throughout, producer Justin Adams (taking a break from his regular work as Robert Plant's guitarist in Strange Sensation) commendably avoids the high-gloss polish that too often plagues world music albums. This is rebel music in the true sense of the term. With Aman Iman: Water is Life, Tinariwen have created a rock album that's unique, vibrant and wholly original. Few Western bands can boast the same.
If you've not yet started to get into World music this is a great place to start. If you get the chance to see them live as we did recently in Leicester, don't hesitate - you'll not be able to resist the urge to get up and dance to the desert groove
http://www.tinariwen.com/
"...a mesmeric evocation of the mood of yearning gained through years of exile, all nourished by the vast emptiness of the desert...an album that deserves to hoist Tinariwen onto the international stage occupied by high-profile world music acts such as the Buena Vista Social Club and Ali Farka Toure."Andy Gill, The Independent, 5/5 Stars.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Prior to the release of Aman Iman: Water is Life, it seemed that few people had heard of Tinariwen. Formed in a refugee camp in the southern Sahara desert, this Touareg band have released two previous albums since 2001, garnering awards and critical acclaim around the world. But 2007's Aman Iman: Water is Life is probably their best album yet. It's certainly the most accessible, particularly to music fans who would never dream of delving into world music. The circular rhythms of the bass and drums lay down a simple--almost hypnotic--beat, which is then given a rougher edge by the electric riffs of the band's four lead guitarists. It sounds like an even more primal, stripped down blues taken back to its roots (assuming, that is, that the roots of blues were sung in French and Tamashek). Throughout, producer Justin Adams (taking a break from his regular work as Robert Plant's guitarist in Strange Sensation) commendably avoids the high-gloss polish that too often plagues world music albums. This is rebel music in the true sense of the term. With Aman Iman: Water is Life, Tinariwen have created a rock album that's unique, vibrant and wholly original. Few Western bands can boast the same.
If you've not yet started to get into World music this is a great place to start. If you get the chance to see them live as we did recently in Leicester, don't hesitate - you'll not be able to resist the urge to get up and dance to the desert groove
http://www.tinariwen.com/
