Tinariwen - Imidiwan: Companions
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Category: Music CD
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Music CD Cover
Artist: TinariwenEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2009-07-07
Free Music Notes for Imidiwan: Companions
Free Music Review: Trippy South Saharan folk-blues - with killer rhythms
Hit: 4 Stars
In the UK, recent years have seen a trend developing whereby African music is being accorded a higher profile. I've never bought an album of African music before but, as I am quite a trendy person myself, I thought the release of 'Imidiwan : Companions', by Tinariwen, presented an ideal opportunity for me to jump on the bandwagon.
The music combines elements of American blues with North African rhythms; it's a highly textured (and somewhat bewildering) blend of bluesy guitar riffs, hypnotic rhythms, primordial drones, some unusual time signatures, chant-like vocals and unintelligible lyrics. All of the lyrics are sung in Tamasheq (which sounds a bit like Arabic), but the liner notes provide English translations and these indicate contemporary folk themes. The band's basic instrumental line-up consists of 1st. and 2nd. electric guitars, acoustic guitar and bass guitar, with each of the electric/acoustic guitar players taking the lead on a selection of the songs; rhythm guitar can be heard in the mix also, and percussion comes from a variety of hand-struck traditional instruments. The lead guitarists also provide the lead vocals, and the male/female backing vocalists sing in a style that is often loose, occasionally a bit chaotic, but usually in harmony. Amazon place the album in the 'Dance & Electronic' category - well, I guess you can dance to some of it, but 'electronic'???
I rather liked the music - although I don't always feel comfortable with it (maybe that's part of the appeal?). All the same, it's only going to be a matter of time before one or two of Tinariwen's earlier albums will find their way onto my CD rack. Whilst the music is unlikely have a universal appeal, I imagine some fans of blues music will find it of interest; also, devotees of psychedelic rock may appreciate some of its 'lysergic' qualities.
The music CD comes with a DVD which contains a 30 minute documentary. This shows the band members rehearsing and recording, chatting about Tuareg culture and their own music, and doing a few impromptu local gigs. The film also features a quite lot of sand, several camels, a fleet of 4x4s and a vegetable patch. English sub-titles are provided, so there's no need to brush up on your Tamasheq.
Imidiwan: Companions Poster
Legendary poet guitarists and soul rebels Tinariwen release their long-awaited follow up to the award-winning 'Aman Iman' CD. 'IMIDIWAN: Companions' is a return to the source. The album was recorded last winter in the depths of the southern Sahara desert by engineer / producer Jean-Paul Romann. It features thirteen songs composed and sung by Ibrahim 'Abaraybone', Hassan 'Le Lion', Abdallah 'Catastrophe', Mohammed 'Japonais' and Abdallah 'Intidao'. The themes are as powerful as ever; homesickness, loss, the struggle for freedom and love of the desert. The mood is vintage Tinariwen; defiant, fragile, raw and uncompromisingly real. 'IMIDIWAN' is reaffirms Tinariwen's global status as one of the most popular and significant groups ever to have come out of West Africa. The CD is accompanied by a DVD of a short film shot on location in the Sahara by French film maker Jessy Nottola.Dance & DJ Music CDs
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