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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

2015

Buy At Rough Trade
Music in Exile
Album Summary

Songhoy Blues is a desert blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali. The band was formed in Bamako after being forced to leave their homes during the civil conflict and the imposition of Sharia law. The band released its debut album, Music in Exile, via Transgressive Records on February 23, 2015, while Julian Casablancas' Cult Records partnered with Atlantic Records to release the album in North America in March 2015. The group is one of the principal subjects of the documentary film They Will Have To Kill Us First. In 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) took control of the north of Mali. In turn, they were pushed out by Ansar Dine, a jihadist group which banned cigarettes, alcohol and music. Garba Touré, a guitarist from Diré, near Timbuktu, was forced to leave, and moved to Bamako, the country's capital, in the south. Together with Aliou Touré and Oumar Touré, they formed a band "... to recreate that lost ambience of the north and make all the refugees relive those northern songs." The three of them, unrelated despite having the same surname, are Songhoy people. The name of the band comes from their ethnicity and the genre of music they play, 'desert blues'.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.33

Votes

14711

Genres

  • World
  • Rock
  • Blues

Reviews

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Feb 24 2022
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4

You know this is the shit I’m here for

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Feb 07 2022
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5

Clearly inspired by the late, great Ali Farka Touré, Songhoy Blues brings the same unstoppable energy to their music that made Ali so influential. "Music in Exile" is powerful and moving in a way that modern American blues so often isn't. The electric tones of Muddy Waters and Albert King find whole new dimensions when they're shaped and guided by the unexpected rhythms and patterns of Malian music. It's a whole vibe and I couldn't be more here for it. I don't understand a word that's being said and I don't care. This is just so damn good.

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Oct 25 2022
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5

Something about African rock always excites me—these distant cousins just sound right together. This record really succeeds in incorporating western influences in a natural way, on top of the Malian Blues that’s already an exciting hybrid. There is also a lot of variety here, from the rock focused Soubor to the Ali Farka Toure influenced Wayei to the acoustic Petit Metier. Musicianship is great, vocals are great. Plus the record is an act of defiance against repression and religious fundamentalism, so what more could you ask for?

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Feb 24 2022
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5

Desert blues, you say? Also known as Tishoumaren, you say? Tishoumaren , which is based on a french word meaning 'Unemployed', you say? EXILES YOU SAY? Five stars, I say.

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Feb 22 2022
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5

I used to get a lot of mileage out of "Soubour" in my spinning classes. I like the driving beat and bluesy, guitar-up-front sound, as well as the fact they all sing. The song-writing is good. They stick to their style but the songs vary enough to keep it interesting. I only listened to it once, so I'll assume I would have liked it even more second time round.

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Feb 08 2022
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4

vibrant music from Mali, swinging and righteous

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Jan 28 2023
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5

This is by far the best non-English language album I’ve gotten on this list so far. It’s exactly my type of blues rock and every song is a banger from start to finish but especially soubour and petit metier. Even if I can’t understand I can feel the political message through the music and that’s just the icing on the cake for a great album; would kill to hear it live. Also, this has been a great run of albums the past week or two

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Feb 12 2022
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3

I didn't hate it you know. A bit like that Chesterfield Middlesbrough Fa Cup semi final in 1997.

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Jan 24 2022
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3

Musically this was great, and I am sure based on the wiki that this tells a great story, however partly due to the language barrier it wasn't for me

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Nov 25 2022
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5

This is an absolutely stellar album. A while back on this list, I get Savane by Ali Farka Touré, and this album reminded me a lot of that, which makes sense as they were influenced by him. It's really cool to see people from all over the world pick up American Blues Rock and make it their own. The guitar work on the album is incredible, both intricate and filled with emotion. I've been lamenting recently that I've been getting a lot of albums that are cool and significant, but aren't worthy of 5 stars on first listen. This album cured that. I loved the sound of it from the beginning of the first song, and every song after that was great, and then the album ended and I was sad 5/5

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Feb 12 2022
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5

this is belting. they're all called toure or dembele so they're probably fucking mint at football too. does this mean i'm a world music guy now? man i'm old. what time is giles peterson on?

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Jun 28 2022
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3

This was a nice album, reminded me a bit of Power of One. Not sure why it's on this list but glad it is just for the variety and it not being a british rock band.

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Dec 22 2022
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5

This is something I would never have been aware of but for this project. The mix of “desert blues” and rock is remarkable, I absolutely love it! I was drawn to this immediately and each listen opens up more of this to me. The guitars are amazing. Reading the backstory of the group it is amazing how joyful music about dislocation and trauma can be. So glad to have encountered this!

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Mar 17 2022
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5

Only need to hear the first 2 songs to see that I was going to enjoy this album. Amazing discovery!!!

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Feb 28 2022
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4

These guys know how to play! Too often the blues can be boring, but these guys know how to tear it up. The language barrier is detrimental unfortunately. It’s not their fault, but I am the one doing the ranking. So the lack of my understanding the words prevents me from truly understanding the whole package. One thing I did pick up on is that the lyrics were often repetitive. From a not knowing the language point of view, I think the repetition would be more of a negative if I did know the language. One last comment on the fuckers who ran these guys out of their homeland. What kind of asshole do you have to be to not realize what a treasure their music is? This part of their story bumps them up a 1/2 star.

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Sep 05 2022
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2

An early example of the safe bet desert blues a sizeable swathe of music crit publications still have an appetite for. Distinctly Saharan sans any especially peculiar instruments or tones, and, crucially, containing nothing to threaten sacred ideas of what constitutes rock and pop. Not knocking the group, just the framework for sticking them in the pantheon. This is nice. Try the Dakhla Sahara Session from Cheveu and Group Doueh from roughly the same time for a more incendiary and politically-charged example of the same kind of music.

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Apr 02 2022
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5

Ah, this was brilliant. So laid-back and enjoyable.

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Mar 21 2022
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5

Great album. It's rare that I fall in love with something on the first listen, but this did it for me!

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Jan 25 2022
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5

Yeah, I loved this - could happily listen to Mali's desert blues all day! Super interesting to hear fragments of rock n roll picked up and woven into their own tradition. Fave track - "Soubour" is a great opener. "Wayei" for something on the chiller side...

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Feb 19 2022
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4

Oddly catchy and enjoyable. I liked the album and would listen again.

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May 15 2024
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3

ЧЁРНОЕ НА БЕЛОМ КТО-ТО БЫЛ НЕ ПРАВ Я ВНЕПЛАНОВЫЙ СЫН АФРИКАНСКИХ ТРАВ

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Sep 24 2024
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4

I don't know their language. But listening to this I could hear protest, heartbreak, confussion, happiness. Everything was genuine and compelling. I liked the music as well. This was worth the listen

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Sep 11 2024
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4

Sometimes it's nice listening to musics in languages I don't know for the poetry of the sound. I found that I was able to appreciate the voice as an instrument rather than vocals since I didn't know what was being said. I thought the rest of the music was also easy to listen to and enjoy. I wasn't expecting blues music from west Africa but I can see myself coming back to this one.

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May 03 2024
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4

Great recommendation that I would not have discovered on my own

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Mar 03 2022
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4

Another hidden gem, this was great.

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May 03 2024
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3

sounded like Muddy Waters went overseas

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Feb 22 2022
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3

After a week of receiving dubious albums this was a nice surprise. I'm a big fan of music from Mali but there's no delicate string sounds of the Kora here, this is predominantly pretty heavy blues infused electric guitar. Wiki shows that they started out covering Ali Farka Toure, but despite having the same surname there isn't any relation. I guess Toure is the Smith of Mali. I shake my head when I read that many folks dismissed this album because they don't understand the lyrics. I guess they're also the same folks that also don't watch foreign flicks with subtitles. Oh well, their loss, they're missing out on some pretty soulful and glorious music.

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Oct 02 2024
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2

An interesting melding of Eastern music and American Blues. I really did not care for it overall. I think the musicianship was fine but I did not care for the vocals. I liked "Soubour" and "Nick" but the rest of the songs were just meh. I feel like this album would not be included in the list if it weren't for the Band's backstory and the obstacles they overcame to create their music.

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Oct 08 2024
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1

This is #day60 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge. While I sympathize with the band's backstory and the hurdles they had to overcome before creating music, I agree that this album wouldn't have made it to the list otherwise. Generally, I don't mind blues, but this... I just can't relate to what I hear on this album. Maybe I'm numb. Sorry, this is a one-off experience for me. I'm giving it a 1 out of 5. Looking forward to # day 61.

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Nov 27 2024
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5

Amazing album with deep blues roots altough the group being from Africa. Arrangments are gold fussioning blues with their native african sounds making it sonetthing fresh. Love it and males me want to learn the la guage to understand it.

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Nov 22 2024
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5

This was some fantastic music that I would have never found outside the 1001 project! Easy to listen to, great sound production. Such an easy 5/5 from me

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Nov 17 2024
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5

Oh, Album Generator, why can't you be like this more often!? Bloody fantastic! Fits right in between the mystical madness of BKO's "Djine Bora" and the folksy, more sparse side of this music on N'Gou Bagayoke's "Kulu", two other great albums I gladly discovered this year. Go listen! Totally goes into the collection (will skip "Nick" every time, though, those drums can fuck off.).

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Nov 15 2024
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5

Man, I love Afrorock bands. There's a soul and rhythm to this form that's difficult to find these days. Music In Exile also has the spirit of a protest record which is a common thread among African recording artists.

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Nov 06 2024
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5

I need to see them live immediately. Music that makes me smile and dancing not an option.

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Oct 28 2024
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5

Loved this one when it was new, and again now. Fantastic groove all the way through. Great backstory, too.

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Oct 25 2024
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5

This was a joy to hear again Love this one.

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Oct 24 2024
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5

very enjoyable to listen to, especially when working since it's not in English. loved it. similar sounding guitar to the black keys.

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Oct 17 2024
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5

I really enjoyed this album - loved the rhythm of the album across the riffs and drums - and after reading about some of their story and a few translated lyrics this is a 5

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Oct 15 2024
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5

Didn't understand a word. Didn't need to. This was awesome.

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Oct 14 2024
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5

Exceptional album. After listening I went and listened to everything by them, including their NPR Tony Desk Concert.

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Oct 08 2024
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5

I enjoyed listening to this music. 5

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Sep 23 2024
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5

Very cool, the kind of thing I wouldn't have come across without this list.

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Sep 18 2024
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5

Right from the beginning, this blew me away. I think it's fair this group has a style where they crush the instrumentals with a rock or blues lick, the singer sings the name of the song, and the backing vocals echo him back. But it's just so great and it's nothing I would have found on my own. Soubour is an awesome opener, though I think my favorite was Jolie.

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Sep 17 2024
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5

interesting fusion. blues. rock. international

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Sep 04 2024
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5

No lo conocía, pero me gustó mucho. Sin duda volveré a escuchar esta banda. Bello e hipnótico sonido.

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Sep 02 2024
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5

I wish I could remember when I first heard this. I think it was my first intro to “world music”, and it’s still got that same magnetic charm now. I love this and all the musical doors it opened up for me. Three cheers and five stars!

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Aug 24 2024
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5

Brilliant! I wish I could understand the lyrics but the music ace it.

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Aug 03 2024
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5

I haven't checked yet but I got the feeling that these guys are from the same region as Mdou Moctar, and will be the second Tuareg guitar band Ive gotten into... I've checked, and they come from the country next door, 30 hours by car. Listened to it 3 times today, loving it, an now gonna look for more bands from the region. Listened to it twice more, looking for the vinyl now so I can take it to vinyl night at The Grand Trunk (my local bar)

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Jul 30 2024
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5

This is what I love about the 1001 list/app: finding a great album that I've never listened to or heard of. Music in Exhile is a great example of this. I love the guitar playing on this. It's like a highlife guitarist was dropped into a blues band. Highly recommended! Liked songs added: - Soubour - Sekou Oumarou - Nick

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Jul 23 2024
View Author
5

Clearly inspired by the late, great Ali Farka Touré, Songhoy Blues brings the same unstoppable energy to their music that made Ali so influential. "Music in Exile" is powerful and moving in a way that modern American blues so often isn't. The electric tones of Muddy Waters and Albert King find whole new dimensions when they're shaped and guided by the unexpected rhythms and patterns of Malian music. It's a whole vibe and I couldn't be more here for it. I don't understand a word that's being said and I don't care.

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Jul 21 2024
View Author
5

The driving, relentless force of the Desert Blues! Some do it spacier, but none do it rockier!

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Jul 15 2024
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5

I love the opening track. This album is fantastic. This is a must listen.

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Jul 14 2024
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5

This is as fantastic. I have no idea what they said, but what a great sound.

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Jul 07 2024
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5

5/5 - excellent and followed on nicely from a deep dive into Desert Blues

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Jul 05 2024
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5

A great album! This album proves that you don’t need to understand the lyrics to enjoy good blues! Upbeat and catchy!

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Jul 04 2024
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5

A+. No notes. Excellent vibes. Great emotion. No clue what they are saying but I love it.

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Jul 04 2024
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5

Didn't know that I needed this in my life. The hook is so catchy, I'm really into it.

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Jun 20 2024
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5

Incredible. If you’re a fan of American blues, then you’re bound to appreciate this gem. The incorporation of Malian music is delightful, and it is, in fact, what allows the blues to transcend on this record.

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Jun 06 2024
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5

Wall to wall bangers. This is why I'm doing this.

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Jun 03 2024
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5

Unexpectedly driving and amazing.

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May 24 2024
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5

I think this was the most interesting album yet. The band is described as "Desert Blues" and they are writing music about being pushed out of their homes in Mali by Ansar Dine. The songs itself are a blend of a modern sound (I don't know anything about North African Desert Blues) and old-school blues. Some songs could have fit on the Cream record from a few days ago. Petit Metier and Soubour were my favorite songs. I've added the entire album to my Liked Songs playlist. This is the first album that I feel like I would truly never have heard had I not started this album journey. 9/10

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May 22 2024
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5

Before knowing the backstory of Songhoy Blues, I just thought it was great guitar music and wished I understood what they were singing. Reading about them, it’s a must listen and I think they’re heroic. Preserving their culture with such a context is amazing. I love this band and will come back to it.

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May 15 2024
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5

I'm gonna be honest I didnt know what to expect and was afraid I would dislike it a lot. But listening to this was very fun and surprisingly relaxing I will deffinitely be checking more of there music

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May 14 2024
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5

Oh WOW! What madman thought of combining really well played R&B music with, what sounded like, traditional African vocals. Whoever it was, they're a F@#K*#G genius.

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May 09 2024
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5

That was very nice! I always like it when some non western music shows up here. Very cool

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May 09 2024
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5

And this album is I guess the reason we’re all doing this website, to find little gems you’ve never heard of and wouldn’t have found on your own. Absolutely loved this. I have heard a couple of ‘African desert rock’ artists before, for example Mdou Moctar who’s pretty cool. But for whatever reason the combination of this style of vocals and beats with the western blues guitar with the African twist totally rocked for me. Just a great groove that brought a massive smile to my face. Soubour and Nick absolute highlights. Who knew the Blues had new life in it yet. Must have listened 7-8 times today, thoroughly looking forward to checking out the rest of their back catalogue.

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May 01 2024
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5

Big slay. guitar is so amazing. It feels so so classic American blues, which is amazing against the vocals. Sekou oumarou one of my faves. Love love love how the albums gets more folky towards the second half, like Petit mertier.

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Apr 30 2024
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5

I can’t believe this came out in 2015. Love to hear something new

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Apr 16 2024
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5

Stunning. Must watch the documentary about these guys!

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Apr 16 2024
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5

two songs in and ive never heard of these guys but theyre great!! really good stuff and really fun. i wish i had listened to this while not in bed. this would go hard as a movie soundtrack. definitely will listen again. i feel like my dad might like this.

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Apr 06 2024
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5

Holy fuck, what a surprise this was! Dudes are from Mali, and they call this genre of music Desert blues. It has their traditional African music mixed with blues. It's fucking amazing Dudes formed in Bamako after being forced to leave their homes in Timbuktu due to civil conflicts and the imposition of Sharia law. In 2012 the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad took control of the North of Mali. In turn, they were pushed out by Ansar Dine, a jihadist group which banned cigarettes, alcohol, and music. The guitarist, Garba Toure was forced to leave his home and moved to Bamako. Together with the other members of the band, they formed to "recreate the lost ambience of the North and make all the refugees relive those northern songs" There is a documentary called They Will Have to Kill Us First in which they are featured as one of the primary subjects of the film. ... And we think we have it bad sometimes! ..... Fuckin hell of a story!! I can't imagine being told that I can't listen to music. What a sad and horrible life that would be! Props to these dudes for finding a way to make the music they love! This album is amazing!! Favourite songs: Soubour, Nick, Al Hassidi Terei, Al Tchere Bele, Irganda, Sekou Oumarou, Jolie, Petit Metier, Wayei, Desert Melodie, Mali Least favourite songs: none 5/5

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Mar 26 2024
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5

Finally,someone new to me to add to my list to follow....5 stars all day long

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Mar 19 2024
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5

It's a five from Clive. This is what the list is all about. Give the people what they want. And they want Malian desert blues from Timbuktu.

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Mar 15 2024
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5

This album is why I use lists like this. So good.

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Mar 12 2024
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5

2015! I think that's the most recent album we've got. Looks like Julian Casablancas's Cult Records co-released this album in North America which is super cool. Damon Albarn and Nick Zinner, the guitarist from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs also had a hand in this album. The opener is a super groovy banger. The guitarist is absolutely ripping through the whole album. I love the off-kilter groove on "Ai Tchere Bele". I'm very glad I went back and listened to this one because it slaps, I will have to revisit it.

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Mar 04 2024
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5

Great album to expand your horizons.this is great blues and I need to look up the lyrics but the music was fantastic!

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Feb 29 2024
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5

this is amazing!!!!!!!! blues, rock, african vibes, all rolled into one awesome sound! african math rock?! omg, its great!

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Feb 28 2024
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5

This was unexpectedly awesome!!!

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Feb 27 2024
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5

Never heard them before. Really enjoyable

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Feb 26 2024
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5

Loved! Great blues work throughout loves especially some of the stilted/less 2/4 beats laid down. virtuoso guitar

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Feb 26 2024
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5

Wonderful, even if I only understood a fraction of the lyrics!

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Feb 24 2024
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5

I loved this album. I’ve never heard of these guys, but this was such a breath of fresh air. I’m really looking forward to more surprises like this one.

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Feb 10 2024
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5

Wow, what a find this was. I've always liked desert blues, but haven't properly explored the genre. Songhoy Blues offer a slightly more modern take on the genre, showcasing influence by the incredible Ali Farka Touré, as well as a wide range of Western styles. Interesting that they cite hip hop and R&B as their 'main diet', while staying firmly connected to Northern Malian music. An added bonus here is the collaboration with Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. None of this says anything about their personal stories of being internally displaced persons, in exile from a fundamentalist group who wanted to ban music from Timbuktu. Despite their modern sound, Songhoy Blues are also keeping their Northern sounds alive.

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