Music in Exile

Got off to a slow start, but really enjoyed it by the end of the album.

Absolutely fantastic desert rock. Deep, groovy riffs overlaid with furious virtuoso notes and a near-perfect backbeat that sets the tempo and expectation of excitement (or whatever the mood may be) while still leaving enough sonic space for the vocals and guitar to shine.

Groovy, wish I knew what they were saying.

No me gusta el estilo.

Really interesting sound, enjoyed it a good bit. Lyrics not in English so can’t say but instruments were great and their voices sounded good

what the fuck was that?

Music from Timbuktu - wow! This was catchy and hypnotic. I love the seemingly simple, but engaging rhythms. I had to listen to it in dribs and drabs because I was always being pulled off in a different directions. But a couple of tunes were so flat out good. Others meandered a bit for me. But they are definitely worth a revisit. It’s a 3.5 really.

The music was dynamic and engaging. I understood about three words. I will definitely check out more of their stuff. This is a 3.5, but because they are from Timbuktu (a place I thought was imaginary as a child) they get the extra half.

This was enjoyable. Certainly can't claim to have ever consciously listened to blues from Mali before, so a great addition to the list. I was impressed by the simple yet adept playing and compositions — of course I have no idea what they were singing about, but in the best blues tradition, some of it came through anyway. I'd have posted a 3.5 if that were an option, and am on the fence as to whether to bump up or down, but for the sheer sake of the experience, and considering I could imagine spinning this at different times — while I work, as background music at a mellow get-together — I see that and raise it .5.

Overall good stuff. Not sure I'd return to this, though a couple of these songs were flat-out bangers. It's more like a 3.5, but not feeling like going up to a 4.

Very enjoyable post Christmas during puzzling time. I mean that literally…I worked on my Christmas puzzle and jammed to this foreign vibe.

reminds me of etra de lair/mdou moctar. Basically cool electric guitar fused blues with african music. WITCH I think too is similar to that style. Tinariwin too? I appreciate a world music album on here since I haven't seen any since I've tried this site. It is well produced, the songs are catchy and it is a straightforward sound. Not my favorite/not all of the songs hit but it's a solid record.

Well this is just delightful! It can be hard to make blues exciting again, but taking it back to Africa seems to be just the secret recipe for something incredible.

Yeah, nothing too flashy, but just good Blues. The story behind it is maybe more interesting than the album.

I enjoyed this. Got repetitive for me in the way that Afro beat can. But I still enjoy it

It seems to excel in the blues, you need to have actually felt the blues. These guys have had that, and despite the language barrier you can feel it in this music. The mixture of instruments and rhythms create an amazingly distinct genre of music.

Superb.

This was great!

Interesting and different, but not anything amazing.

Awesome to hear music inspired by a real life battle for freedom and justice

fun

Great sound! Wish I understood the lyrics.

Tosi hienoa kitaratyöskentelyä. Afrikkalaista rautalanka rokkia. Tulee kanssa tosi vahvoja indie-rock viboja. Hieno ja mielenkiintoinen sekoitus.

Soubour - 9/10 Irganda - 8.5/10 Al Hassidi Terei- 8.5/10 Sekou Oumarou - 7.5/10 Nick - 8/10 Al Tchere Bele - 8/10 Wayei - 7.5/10 Petit Metier - 8.5/10 Jolie - 8.5/10 Desert Melodie - 8/10 Mali - 8/10 TOTAL - 92/110

I wanted to love this but it came up a bit short. Still very good.

There is a lot to like here but is still limited by being an uncomfortable fusion

A superb album, an absolute joy to listen to. This is the kind of music I came to this list to discover.

It's a jam.

Didn't understand a word, but nice voices and great music.

4.5 stars. Opening riff shreds and from there on its just a great blues rock album. Fun and different that it's not in English, but the guitars from this Mali-based group just carry the listener on an enjoyable ride. Standouts are "Soubour" and "Al Hassidi Terei".

8/10. Really cool, I want to listen to this again.

Pretty decent, if a little slow. 7/10

right in my zone

Not my favorite.

Ok, I didn't understand a word and frankly I don't care. This album grabbed me from the first note and I will definitely be revisiting it.

I'm digging this album! Every track is smooth, bluesey, and engaging. Great recording quality, too!

Given that I couldn't understand any of the lyrics, that was still a fairly enjoyable listen. Some tracks didn't work for me, but overall it was solid. 3.5.

My life is fuller knowing that this record exists. Unfortunately my inherent desire to sing along will prevent me from listening to this with any frequency.

Interesting album, I enjoyed it.

Strange , not bad . Maybe a 2

C'est bien

this album was awesome. naturally i'd never heard of the band or had a clue what they were saying in the lyrics, but this is part of why i love 1001 albums. very cool to see a newer band from africa playing blues rock that is clearly crafted with deep meaning and emotion behind it. favorites: soubour, al hassidi terei, sekou oumarou

I didn't know this band and I really liked it. It's good to know music from other regions. I also recommend listening to reggae bands from Argentina.

not my normal genre but it was interesting!! the instrumentation was really fun but i couldn’t find lyric translations so i was a bit lost the whole time. did a wikipedia dive and the random links to julian casablancas and nick zinner came out of nowhere but that’s also sick lmao

Definetly not for me

Music from Timbuktu. For African Rock it is pretty decent. Soubour has a great groove, beat and rhythm. Others like Irganda keep it going. It is a mix of African-chants with a rock and rhythm beat. This is one you have to keep listening to. I'll keep it around for sure. 3.5

I enjoyed it! Rating 3.4.

This is incredible. On one hand, it sounds like blues-inspired African music. But then the blues was inspired from African music. So far, this is my favorite new discovery from this list. I've never heard anything quite like this, and I want to hear more! (And maybe figure out what they're saying...)

I enjoyed the album, but probably won't revisit it

It is somewhat challenging to get into something that isn't in English, but I was still vibing with a good chunk of this. I enjoyed myself!

Good stuff, I didn't understand a word but the music was very good.

Quite a good listen, melodic but didn't quite hold my attention throughout

Funky as

My first experience of Malian desert blues. Moderately enjoyable and different, but I much prefer the original Southern USA blues classics.

Não gostei muito do estilo

Eu nunca ia encontrar esse grupo sozinha e tô muito feliz pelo álbum ter sido gerado pq na primeira música eu já sabia que ia curtir demais!! Nunca me viu como alguém que ouve muito blues mas gostei DEMAIS mesmo assim! Sem contar que a história da banda é bem legal. Fave: Irganda

Unexpected 5*, loved seeing something different.

Very groovy album

so it starts out sounding like some southern type of blues but when the vocals hit it changes completely. really good album, proves that good music can transcend language barriers. also the story behind it is really interesting too.

What a pleasure this album was

Not in English, so I couldn't understand the vocals, but I really enjoyed the music the beat. The whole vibe was good

Prima achtergrond muziek. Niet heel bijzonder verder. Vind dat gezang wel nice ff maar het verveelt best wel snel.

versta er niks van, wel funky maar niet echt mijn jam

Pretty cool, and the backstory of this album makes it even cooler.

The blues instrumentation was top notch. The vocals seemed dissonant with the style of music to me but this is typical sound for desert blues.

solid, quick album. i’ll probably never revisit but it’s albums like this that i’m so glad i’m doing this project. i NEVER would have heard this

A breath of fresh air in this list! Really liked this music, the story behind the album is crazy.

the guitar riffs are pretty cool

A really enjoyable album that is totally out of my usual 'field of view'. An upbeat, bouyant bluesy-indy-progressive album that embraces beautiful guitar melodies from the African diaspora that I have always loved so much. there's a lot in this album and it is a re-listener for sure. I can't imagine any other album in this 1001 list sounding like this so it gains an extra star for its outstanding uniqeuness in a densely packed, western-pop milieu.

Fantastic

Bluesy. Not something I'll likely revisit though.

Yes! Uplifting rhythms, fun to listen to. Absolutely will get back to it in the future.

3-3.5 I wish there was a bit more variety between the songs, in particular with the singing and I think the guitar style as well. I love the concept of the album and I liked that I didn’t know the words, and the songs were pleasant to listen to. I just don’t quite see myself craving this album or any particular song.

Loved this. No clue what they are saying in any of the songs, but had great sounds and would be great background noise.

Did not enjoy

Not heard of the band before, but was a fine listen. Wasn’t blown away but an easy background album to listen to.

This is some fine African blues music. I can't really say too much to the genre other than it sounded exactly like I wanted it to sound. Not sure that is good or bad but you can't really say anything bad about the quality of these songs.

Wel aardig

Good stuff good story

Inoffensively average, not a lot going for it though, a bit boring tbh.

- Heard of this band before but never listened to them - Pretty good, not sure if I'd revisit it but I enjoyed listening to it

3.5

My first exposure to desert rock is Mdou Moctar. There's just something so metal about desert rebels wielding an electric guitar. And Moctar's music is certainly what one would expect: epic, electrifying, and explosive. "Music in Exile", however is different. Instead of erupting in mind-blowing electric guitar driven fire, they instead took it easy and just created the grooviest brand of blues I have ever heard. The guitars are amazing in their own way, and the tunes are spot-on. Instead of powerful rebels making stormy statements in the middle of the desert, they created an image of a community channeling their emotions into danceable grooves, letting the energy build up and take them somewhere spiritually uplifting. A down-to-earth masterpiece of the genre.

I like the jams :)

Didn't know what was being said, sounded good though, 4/5

Quite interesting. Very nice instrumentation and flow.

This record was full of vibrant blues rock, and was a great blend of cultural styles. Although I did find some tracks sounded too similar as the album wore on.

I like this band a lot. It does get a bit monotonous, for my taste, but you can say that about lots of things, I suppose.

I like this. Lots of driving energy throughout. Some of the guitars in this are greeeeat, both bass and jangly lead guitar. I obviously have no idea what they're singing about, but they clearly have some serious lived experience to draw upon. I'm sure it's quite profound. The more 'world' sounding tracks I didn't enjoy as much.

I was initially really surprised and excited - this album was really cool! It didn't ultimately have enough... variety? It did sort of feel in a couple of places like I was listening to the same song over and over. Definitely and interesting and exciting record and I would happily listen again, but it doesn't quite climb up to 4 stars for me.

Awesome fusion of modern Westen rock with the local sound

ok i listened to it before i died.

Amazing desert blues rock record with hypnotic and groovy rhythm. Totally surprised me with the great quality of the record. Truly deserving to be on the list.

energetic blues, like a lot

Songhoy Blues is described by Wikipedia as a “desert blues band from Timbuktu, Mali”. I figured this would be interesting, and I was right.not just interesting, but really good. This is, naturally, not in English, so I don’t know if the lyrics are good or bad. But I REALLY like the music. The closest I can come in mood/tone is Charlie Parr’s Stumpjumper, but that’s just a general similarity. An easy 4, maybe higher if I get more familiar with it. 4/5

This album was a lot of fun

Not a bad sound. Instruments sounded nice, melodies were very soothing

Jams.

I enjoyed it, it was an upbeat and soothing style. Though I didn't understand the words I liked the tune of each song.

this is interesting to say the least

Modern and sharp, this album isn't playing around, and it starts from the very top; strong bass lines, rhythmic guitar and poignant solos take the blues to the next level; reminds me of the spirit of The Holding Company, only with African sensibilities (maybe a touch of jazz a la Art Blakey). African music can be deeply and effortlessly innovative, and I don't know if another word would more clearly capture the soul of this record; mixing rock, blues, country-western, spirituals, and their own West African sound (forgive me for being overly broad with 'West African') together into some profoundly moving, smooth, refreshing yet nostalgic, and surprisingly poppy. A surprising feature of the album is Damon Albarn's backing vocals. What starts more traditional, in a rock and blues space, becomes more experimental as the album progresses, with funkier rhythms and percussion. Deeper still, the record becomes unapologetically Mali, and speaks to the homeland Songhoy Blues was forced to leave due to escalating violence. I really enjoy their use of repetition, chanting, and call and response to build something complex and sonically layered; this is serous dance music; the atmosphere is of emotional momentum and a great, sad journey towards the unknown- the album isn't sad, necessarily, but their is a deep understanding of sadness, love, celebration, and freedom emanating from the record, and connecting the group to the great blues artists of the US, like B.B. King, Albert King, or Muddy Waters (which makes sense, considering the impact the transatlantic slave trade had on West Africa and the US). Solidly groovy, fundamentally rocking, and makes me want to dance. Ultimately, the album is expansive and cuts to the quick of so much of the human condition- that we are more similar than we are different. Standouts: Soubour, Irganda, Al Hassidi Terei, Wayei, Petit Metier, Desert Melodie, Mali.

Just couldn't really get into it

Byrjaði af krafti en breyttist svo hægt og rólega. Ég fílaði byrjunina og finnst þetta bara fínasta plata en auðgleymanleg

Lala, samt skárra en ég bjóst við.

Really enjoyed this. New to me. Added it to my album library.

Really great stuff with a style that is similar to a lot of bands from the sahara. Looking into their history at the time of recording this gives more context to enjoy the album despite not having a clue what the lyrics mean

Tried the first song and thought no ty

1.5/5 - I did not connect with this album at all

Pretty good, a more upbeat Amadou & Mariam.

It's ok i guess? I'm not sure why it's on here (common theme with newer albums on the list). The description of everything surrounding the band and the album are a lot more interesting than the actual music on here. In one ear and out the other really. At least it's some variety outside of the usual classic rock/pop stuff.

Nice blues sound, but not for me.

Truck spilled “a huge amount” of gas at Eugene 6th ave (1 gallon)

Alcune carine altre un po meno

I didn’t care for it

I didn’t understand any of the lyrics but I was moving my head all the time.

Lively and solid throughout. But unlike some albums from Saharan Africa, the songs have variety and flow. This was a great discovery

Very repetitive but some very fun guitar lines. After the third or fourth songs it sounds like the guitar solos were almost all random hammer ons and slides. “Nick” is super catchy and fun. Overall mix is good, would love some more unique and interesting bass lines.

Tunes for sure.

Good music, but not in english

I never would have listened to this on my own, but I really enjoyed it - exactly what I started doing this for.

Was okay. Heard before. There was this one song that had a real groovy rock 'n' roll riff. + Soubour + Irganda + Nick + Al Tchere Bele

No me gusta el estilo.

Cool

Akoze nerozumiem tomuto albumu… Najskor 7 nezmyslov a potom 3-4 uplne bomby 🤯

Thoroughly enjoyed, never heard of the before though

Wow this was really good. Love the unfamiliar time signatures. Some of it I can hear some pieces of traditional blues.. chicken or egg? I added it to my library.

i love this stuff but it does get a little monotonous in heavy doses

Listened to this while drawing. Really enjoy the album.

That was good fun! I enjoyed that. Lively and vibrant.

I didn't hate it, but it's not for me. 3/5

I can appreciate the story behind these musicians and this album, but overall I think the music is kind of forgettable and didn't really engage me.

Greatafeican heat

Guitar-driven African earworms.

reminds me of the black keys, really dig this

Love love love this

Decent. Interesting mix of African rhythms and American blues. Some of it works. Some of it doesn't. I would be interested if there is more from this project.

Mehh coudnt understand it

BLUES! LET'S GOOOOOOOOO

Brani Preferiti: - "Soubour" - "Wayei" Note: Prima volta che ascolto del rock africano, interessante la varietà che questo disco offre. Onestamente un qualcosa di inaspettato ma benvenuto, permettendo di prendere una breve pausa dall'ennesima band britannica. La barriera linguistica presente è come una moneta, fa apprezzare la musica... ma ovviamente si perde ciò che la band stia dicendo.

I like how the fast paces backing contrasts the slower but no less rythmic vocals. Their music compels you to be swinging back and forth. It feels as though it most definitelt should not be listened to alone, sitting at a desk (as I am doing now - sorry). Al Hassidi Tereia and Nick both have a lot of variation and I particularly enjoy the harmonies in the slower vocal parts of these songs. The only other thing perhaps worth noting is that, since they are singing in another language, I have no idea what the lyrics mean.

the rhythmic music and longsome vocals remind me of other african music I've heard. there are some real jams on here though I have a hard time really resonating with it.

Solid sounds. Lyrics are important to me though

one of my fav :O

Total jam that makes me want to explore more desert blues. No real standouts but I did listen while dog walking and it was a total jam. Will have to come back to this one!

This is a GROOVE. Absolutely love it. Great rhythms and guitar tones and just a cool sounding album.

Not good

Very good musically and right up my alley. Still sometimes iffy on music in another language. But this was great background music for driving around doing errands today.

Great album. Really enjoyed this one. Modern rock with a African influence. Really interesting listen. Track 2 Irganda is one of the highlights, but the album is really consistent. 4/5

Listened a bit. Kinda fun

Found this really enjoyable. Loved the desert swing style of rock and the band is clearly both passionate about their beliefs and also passionate about laying down some bitchin riffs. 4/5

Les instrus sont excellentes (même si ya souvent le meme riff tt la musique) avec de bonne idées pour les solos mais les voix africaines la je peux pas ça nique tout l'album

Много готини блусари!

Yeah wouldnt want to listen to it all the time but it was an uplifting sound

These bois just wanted to make blues music but the institutions in power wouldn’t let them. I’m happy they found a way.

Yeah, good Blues! Starting in the middle of album is Mix Blues/African Musica, which I liked .

A very pleasant surprise. Says on the tin: blues music but with energy and rhythm. Suggesting a brevity and joy of life despite the upheavals and uprooting the band had to endure. Would like to see them live.

Amazing stuff. Turns out I love desert rock! And these guys could rock with some of the best. I was wondering if the list would have albums from outside NA or EU. Happy to see that it does, happy to see that these men from Mali are not an obscure group, and happy that they have finally reached me. This band has a cohesive overall sound while the album features slower songs, faster songs, upbeat songs and more melancholic songs. They show experience and versatility. First album that's going into my library. I can see myself listening to this band more often in the future.

Admittedly Malian blues funk isn’t usually high on my list of dog walk listening material, but good work lads

Nothing crazy songwriting wise, but definitely a fun listen with some good tunes

Sogenannter Desert Blues aus Mali. Sehr beschwingte Blues-Rock-Variante mit Gesang in Landessprache. Kann man gut nebenher hören, aber da fehlt mir das gewisse etwas.

Really not my thing. I found many of the sonic qualities landed a bit harsh on the ears.

Meh

Ok. All starts to sound a bit samey.

Groovy

Liked it but at 3 hours was a bit longer than I could listen to

So… usually with a record that isn’t in English I comment on how hard it is to rank. This one is different. Working on the assumption that the lyrics are acceptable, this is a great record. The fact that it wasn’t a sound I am used made it all the better.

Never heard it before, blues from africa. But it's goooood!

I enjoyed this album more than I was expecting. No idea what the songs are about but the beats, rhythms and melody were good. Particularly liked 'Al Hassidi Terei'. Getting a bit repetitive towards the end but not unpleasant.

itsaight

Really nice, especially for something so obscure out of Mali and for being somewhat modern. It's quite the task to be a worthwhile listen since I have found much of the stuff from the 2010s+ to not be very good, especially from abroad. 7/10.

Interesting album, with a great story behind it. Perhaps just not my favorite genre

Never heard of these guys before, this kicks ass though. Listened to it 3 times through without getting bored, so I'm pretty sure it justifies the rating.

Interesting. This will be one of those rare instances where I make the time for a second listen right away. I like it. Unusual mix of sounds, tempos, singing. My reaction reminds me a little of when I first heard "Buena Vista Social Club" so high praise, I guess.

Bra album, riktigt mysigt

Kul med lite variation i stil och ursprung. Annars trevligt album.

Mwah! Ökenrock 😎😎 Inte vad jag trodde med tanke på namnet och så. Tinariwen, Tamikrest liknande. Gymma gitarrer, feta rytmer, kul sång. Känns fan som ett soundtrack som spelas när man vandrar genom öknen. Hade man rate:at mer specifikt hade detta lätt kunnat hamna en bit över 4. Favoriter kanske: Irganda, Soubour, Al Tchere Bele

Jag gillade detta albumet Vibeade sönder till Irganda

En stor switch up från det vanliga albumet. Konstigt att lyssna på text som man verkligen inte förstår. Tyckte även låtarna var repetitiva och inte super men kul att höra musik på afrikaans första gången. Favorit: Al tchere bele tror jag

Bra album men inte riktigt min grej Bästa låt: Irganda

This album really is so good and funky. Not at all what you'd expect going in. Favorite track: Soubour

The language barrier forces a bit of research into this band's significance. American listeners en masse do not really take a look at why a band may exist, or what the bands draw their inspirations. More significant, is that Songhoy Blues still manage to keep the blues a bit bright despite the fact their story's backdrop is the risk of religious/ethnic cleansing in their home country of Mali. Let's talk about the music, the beats have that "African" tempo, some of the singing styles have that tribal chant feel with the repetition one would expect from a cultural event. What is incredible is that Songhoy Blues capture these styles, and wrap it all up in the blues. Truly, a remarkable production bridging their culture to match the sound palate of the West and raising further awareness of some of the political/religious conflicts, an example of where music's power is being used for good.

The first half of this album goes hard. It slaps. The second half fell off a bit, but was still pretty enjoyable.

Never listened to desert blues before, but hearing this album and reading about there story about brining back music to northern Mali is inspiring.

This was good, different from most other albums on this list.

Even without the insane story that comes with this album, this is still a very fun and chilled-out collection of desert blues tracks Also love the Clash and Zeppelin covers on the deluxe Favourite tracks: Soubour, Al Hassidi Terei, Jolie, Desert Melodie

Never expected an unknown language to influence how much I enjoy an album

Intricate guitar work. World music classic

Like the attempt and approach. Lovely guitar playing with rough and ragid backing. Not something I will return to too often but something I enjoyed.

It was a neat album.

These black dudes really got me feeling some type of way... I mean, with their music. It's kinda crazy this was released in 2015, it feels much older No idea what the lyrics are about, but surely it's a good thing this time, it would pain me to hear about their struggles with cops and drug abuse

interesting but became a bit boring. not bad just kinda eh

Super groovy album. Would never have heard of it without this list!

Yes, thank you. This is why I'm here.

Interesting music.. not bad at all

Despite some of the songs on this album sounding like the soundtrack to a Ford truck commercial, this album does enough to stand out as its own thing and not the just be the rock band you hear on the "alternative" rock radio station. However, that difference is still rather boring, with songs blending together towards the halfway point of the album, and very little making it easy to tell the tracks apart. I wouldn't call this solely a rock album, but just like that genre, it's so vague what this album presents it's hard to have strong feelings about it. The film centered around this band from the same year seems interesting though, and I assume that may be why this album was on the list. Also weird that Julian Casablancas got it distributed over here in the United States. Small musical world.

A really sold bluesy album with a lot of emotions behind the lyrics, even if I don't understand them

Really enjoyed Desert Melodie. Gives me Midwest Emo vibes

Really good, surprised ne

Interesting music.

Interesting

Another solid album. I enjoyed this album.

Nice

Hall Of Fame Shrooms Album.

The story behind this album is far more interesting than the album itself, but I really love hearing what other countries can do with the blues.

Although originally an American export, “the blues” is revealed, through the stylings of Mali-based Songhoy Blues, to be a uniquely global, decidedly human form of expression.

I'm quite the fan of the Mali music scene and have listened to quite a few albums over the last decades. And even though I like this album and listen to it with much pleasure, I don't think this one rises high above that of its peers. It's really quite good, but never reaches greatness

I wasn't expecting to like this since "world music" is rarely my thing. This however was quite a pleasant surprise. I don't know if it will be something I revisit often but I certainly might.

When the first track got going, a big smile came across my face because I knew I was going to like it. I listened to this album twice, and I really like the first two tracks. This is the type of thing I love about this list. I never would have found this otherwise.

I liked this sound and even though I couldn't understand it I was definitely vibing.

Cool, if a bit repetitive

Pretty good album. It has a lot of very nice guitar riffs, but as a whole, it's far too repetitive for me. - Mason 3/5

Sound like amazing musicians and a great sound. Not for me, but a real talent here.

The songs were repetitive to an extent, but the music was great.

A welcome shift but the albun got pretty reptitive. That might be a language barrier thing.

Surprisingly good album - didn't understand a word of it

Great fusion blues Africa

This is the kind of discovery I’m looking for by doing the 1001 albums. This is a great story for blues music. Black music from America influencing African musicians. Not as flashy or focused on lead guitar solos but uses the blues structure and electric blues tones in a Malinese groove.

3/5 I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. Probs cuz I can’t understand the words 💀.

Meh did not care for this, however they have a talent

I had no idea what they were saying, but I dig this.

Very nice!

Awesome rhythm and feel. Perhaps not the most technically amazing, but it's got such charisma and even some decent stank at times.

I’m sure it’s cool live, though?

Cool blues guitar styles. Lyrics not in English but enjoyable.

I’m into this

Good fun blues from Bamako. While generally the genre is not my favourite, it sounds fresh enough to my ears for me to want it in my rotation, and besides it’s a well balanced, just the right length record.

Awesome! Totally punk rock in a completely novel way

it's mid

it wasnt bad just not the kind of music id listen to

It was really chill. Not too sure if it will be smth I relisten to but it was pretty nice. I liked the vocals 7,5/10

I’ve found African music often hits hard but wears thin. This album was a solid exemption with enough stylistic variation and emotion to more than offset that I can’t understand the words.

Loved it, makes me wanna get up my chair and move. Already a blues fan so it was very easy to get into this.

Liked the first track, but then it just flowed over me as every track sounded similar to the one before it. Was bored of this long before it ended.

I may have over rated this album just a smidge, but I am overwhelmed and impressed nonetheless. I feel like Songhoy Blues has something that needs to be said (all without understanding a lick of what's being sung) compared to many of the other ventures on this list. This is pure passion and pure blues.

Heard about these guys - and the desert blues genre - for the first time a few years ago. Love the style. Love their sound. This is a great debut album.

Vraiment aimé ça. Le son blues/garage/desert rock est vraiment bien exécuté et les compositions sont originales. La production est super bonne. C'est rafraîchissant d'entendre quelque chose de ce genre, ça sonne familier et nouveau à al fois dû aux influences du pays. Quelques pièces m'ont laissé un peu plus sur ma faim mais globalement un très bon album. 8/10

Malian blues, electric style. Excellent.

Lot of weight here, music in the effort of preserving culture while in flight from religious and political upheaval. A lot of pathos in the vocals despite the language barrier.

Why would exile music you should bring it back

loved the african covers of rock classics and their own interpretatation. intro def my fav

I really enjoyed this. Never heard it or them before. I listened while I was running and it was great tempo and vibe. I'm sure if I understood the language I'd have a deeper appreciation.

Clean sounding blues. Lots to like.

interesting international album. I enjoyed it.

Crazy cool sounds from Mali. Love the rhythms and the guitar work.

This hits from the opening riff. It is not what you are likely to expect from the album cover. It is blues based rock music from dudes from Mali. It has a really funky beat. It is good. It is fun. And, these guys play...

This was an unexpected pleasure and the kind of album that makes participating in this 1001 albums project worthwhile. Great musicians playing in a combination of styles I haven't heard before, helping expand my musical horizons - rather than the 53rd half-assed britpop outfit.

Really liked it to start with but by the end the ideas had gone a bit stale.

Mdou Moctar adjacent. Love this style of desert blues

Очень красивая музыка!

Estuvo bien

Interesting

More contemporary take on the desert blues.

not my style

I really liked it. Classical blues instrumental but with a Mali twist in the vocals.

A few weeks back we had an album by Ali Farka Touré that fused Malian folk with American blues. Cool to hear a more recent band pick up on what he was doing and continue the style. Songhoy Blues have a slightly more modern rock sound. (“Nick” has a crunchy beat and blues riff that reminds me of the Black Keys.) I love how a lot of these songs sound like they’re in forward motion. This would be great driving music because the songs already feel like they’re flying down the highway.

Really cool album with a very real and different back story than what you normally read about from bands on this list. It really puts an immediate context into my thoughts when listening to this album, as these guys were exiled from their home due to an invading group imposing Sharia Law (which forbids music among other things). I love how upbeat the album is despite this background. The first two songs are so damn groovy and the third one has such a fun swinging beat that starts around a half minute in that is as infectious as anything. Some songs are so good that it could be The Black Keys with a different singer (I'm thinking here of the song "Nick" that has that typical Black Keys boom-bap-boom-bap driving drumbeat). Great little record. More listens and this could creep up into a 4 for me I think.

Really good. Desert Blues!

So, who else knew that Malian blues would be their thing? Not me that’s for sure but this is absolutely wicked!

Definitely not my type

I respect their musical talent but I just didn't like it.

One never knows quite how to feel about music from other cultures, but there's an awful lot to like here. Vocals that engage and haunt, by seeming deep, authentic and committed. The gritty Malian blues seem rooted in another era. One could hear quite a good bit of this.

Interesting blues from another country.

Estilo blues con algo de música étnica entremezclada. No me aporta nada, puesto que no es un género que me entusiasme

Very interesting album

HL: "Soubour", "Irganda", "Nick", "Petit Metier", "Desert Melodie" Dope At first I was worried it would be standard modern blues rock a la Black Keys, but it combines it with the jangly, soulful guitar playing you hear in Ali Farka Touré in a really appealing way- add some danceable rhythms from both African & North American influences, and you have this. April 28, 2023

Pretty cool African folk/blues/rock

"Music in Exile" is the debut album by the West African Mali band Songhoy Blues. The band had to flee their home in northern Mali when radical Islamists (banning alcohol, music, cigarettes) overran the area to the southern cityand capital of Bamako. Following an audition, the band was introduced to producer Marc Antoine Moreau and the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zenner who ended up producing this album. A great description of their music is blending American guitar licks with Malian grooves. Desert blues, blues rock and Afro rock. Yeah, this does not fall in the world music genre. The band is composed of four members, Garba Touré, Aliou Touré, Oumar Touré and Nathanael Dembélé. They are not brothers believe it or not. The album received wide spread critical acclaim. A bluesy rhythm and lead guitar with a stomping beat begin "Soubour." Sung in their native language, I think. The music sounds a lot like Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus." Oh, yeah...they pick up the beat in "Irganda." Less blues, more Afro rhythm and chanting. A good comp is Talikg Heads' "Fear of Music" era. A soft blues guitar background in "Sekou Oumarou." Great lead tenor vocals as well as backing vocals. Now the desert blues description makes perfect sense in "Nick." Just a killer bluesy groove. This song would not be out of place on an early 70's Stones, ZZ Top or John Lee Hooker album. The album ends with the song "Mali." An acoustic guitar strumming. Passionate singing about their home country. This is a very good album especially the first half. A dominant bluesy guitar and tremendous groove at times. Most of these songs would not sound out of place in the 70's and 80's American/British rock/blues scene.

This reminds me of the sort of thing I hear people play on Desert Island Discs and wonder how they got into this sort of stuff. I enjoyed it but I must admit I find listening to music where I can't understand the lyrics a bit disconcerting. Like, how do I sing along? What if they're saying something horrible!? It's making me want to look up their other stuff though so, job done, I guess!

What a surprise here! Delicia de escuchar y bailar. Llamado Desert Blues o Afro Blues por razones bien obvias pero sus sonidos tienen también algo espiritual y tropical. Puedo sentir a Colombia a través de estos sonidos que vienen de Mali. Es una fiesta completa este álbum.

Such a beautiful album

A bit samey but cool none the less

Really liked it, nice sounds

wish I could understand the lyrics.

didn't understand a word of it, but it was a hell of a blues groove

Not a big blues fan

3/10

Hyvää työtä kenian poika... Yksinkertaset on rytmit.. ei kovin hurjia lyriikoita ole.. mitäs jos vaikka se suomalainen itsesääli rantautuisi afrikan rannikoille.. aroille kuumille.. norsut tiikeri.. elämä harmittaa pakko painaa eteenpäin mentality sisu... Isoisäkuolitalvisota.... veteraanit kunniaan.. huonosti menee suomessa... Todella hyvä meininki albumissa... vaikkei oikein osata paljoa äänellä tehdä ja kitaralla pedaloida..

What a strong album! Desert Blues is something else! Literally having to leave their homes from a civil war! Unfortunately do not know the language but from what I’ve read has to be very powerful for what they went thru and the music behind it! Great album!

This is why I go through with this album-a-day rigamarole. This is an absolute gem I'd have never found otherwise. Very grateful to add this album to my rotation!

Different, didn't really catch my attention

I can hear the influence of all sorts of blues musicians, from the classics of Albert King to the hard rock variant of Jimmy Page to the modern works of The Black Keys. The rhythmic guitar work and vocal style is also very similar to the mbalax work of Senegal, which I'm sure is very highly influenced by it considering it neighbors Mali. Hearing this fusion feels very fresh and intriguing. At least for the first half where it was prominent. The second half lacked that charm. But either side, I did find them fairly boring and repetitive. Most of the songs feel like they could jam for 10 minutes but stop too short, which is not enough time to feel particularly invested. If both sides were like the first few songs, I'd give them an extra star. If they had more innovation and vigor like the Black Keys, I'd give them two.

A refreshing mix of African harmonies and blues.

Very different sounding to what I'm used to, definitely 1950s inspired soul and jazz in there. The bass just hits different.

I'm sure this music would have an extra level of impact if I understood the language. Really good grooves

Garba, Aliou and Oumar Toure (no relation despite sharing a surname) left their home near Timbuktu, Mali in 2012, after occupation by a jihadist group named Ansar Dine who were imposing Sharia law over the north of the country. The ban on music (!) forced the three Toures and fellow musician Nathanael Dembele out of their homes to Bamako in South Mali, where they later formed a band. “Music in Exile” was released three years later. I‘m not sure I’ve ever read a more compelling background for any artist. Songhoy Blues play music as a means of resistance, music as an act of joy, and music as an irrepressible way of life. As such, “Music in Exile” crackles and glows with energy. The band recorded it with the guitarist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and grew up on American rock, so there are clear Western influences here (apparently an unfortunate pre-requisite for any “world music” act making it onto the 1001 list). But Songhoy Blues’ brand of music seamlessly incorporates Malian grooves and Afrobeat, giving them the edge over US-based blues groups I’ve heard in the past. If car companies caught wind of “Soubour” they’d surely be tripping over themselves to use it in every TV advert they possibly could. It’s brittle, tough blues rock and a perfect opening. “Sekou Oumarou” is in a similar vein: hypnotic and lean with a touch of menace, no messing around. The Afrobeat-leaning “Irganda” is even better: a propulsive beat, handclaps, chanting vocals, a kitchen sink of percussion, restless skittering rhythm guitar. It’s a delight, and my favourite track here: if anything might push “Music in Exile” to a five star album, it would be more of “Irganda”. The rest is perfectly enjoyable, though, as we’re treated to the driving bluesy shuffle of “Nick”, some excellent rhythmic see-sawing in “Al Hassidi Terei”, and a masterclass in quietly building intensity with “Jolie”. There’s also good stylistic variation: “Wayei” drops the tempo and leads things in a more lilting direction before the first minute of “Petit Metier”- and later the whole of closer “Mali”- drop to just acoustic guitar and vocals. These aren’t as thrilling as some of the other songs, but I appreciate the breathers. “Music in Exile” is fierce, passionate, relentless, vital. The layered vocals are a force of nature, and the guitar tones could take on the world. The language barrier hardly matters here: the backstory and vitality of the music speaks for itself.

A very interesting musical style that I had never heard before. Unique, and overall quite nice. I was torn between 3 and 4, but ultimately chose 3 because while the songs were fun to listen to, there was no permanent addition to any playlist.

There's a few good songs at the beginning of the record but it's too repetitive.

Really enjoyed this album.

Good world music album.

I enjoyed the album. It had a great melodies

Musically good, but not my kind of music. 2.5/5

Not bad, but will need some more listens to appreciate.

nice funky tunes that even though I don't understand the lyrics I can still vibe with the feel and emotions

I didn't expect a blues album from Mali on this list! And especially I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Although I couldn't understand anything they said or sang, I absolutely loved the atmosphere and beats of this album. By reading a little about the context of "Music in Exile", one could actually feel some connection to the boys from Mali. It's a tragic thing, to be forced to flee from your own home, so kudos to them to stick to their guns and record an amazing album, which probably kept up the spirit of many people alike to Songhoy Blues.

A conhecer nova opção de audição do blues do deserto. Não está na lista do tuareg vibes, mas funciona muito bem com as melodias e guitarras.

This is kinda funky. I dig it.

I really enjoyed this one, surprisingly good sound and vocals

Eh

Very good

Make me think to Tinariwen, good.