Reviews (page 2 of 13)
From the first minute of the album I was thinking it sounds too much like American swag rock, but as it went on I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't like that. The lead guitar playing reminded me of Vieux Farke Touré, the only other Malian artist I've listened to. My favourites are: Al Hassidi Terei, Nick, Wayei, Petit Metier, and Jolie, but all of the songs were good. Still in some places the production sounded a little too modern and overdone and me not understanding the lyrics probably takes away a lot of the emotional impact.
This album is an example of precisely what I was hoping to discover with this project. I would have never discovered this on my own, and what a cool blues project out of Mali! Really vibey, more upbeat and interesting than a lot of blues music - great grooves all around. I got a little lost in it at times just because I couldn't understand the lyrics, but I don't think that took away from the mastery of this album. Not exactly the style of music that I gravitate toward on a regular basis, but I'm glad I listened nonetheless. 3.5/5 rounded down Favorite tracks: Soubour, Petit Metier
Some interesting blues rock from across the globe, appreciate the blending of cultures. All kind of sounded the same though.
Good album. Interesting story. I love the guitars. The songs themselves didn't blow me away, but I liked them.
laid back bluesy
Music from the Sahel is having a moment right now, and Africa in general has always been an amazing place for music of all styles. This does lack the experimentation of Post-Fela Nigerian afrobeat or Ethiopian Tezeta, but the grooves are pretty infectious in that typically African way. The beat drives endlessly. The blues scales are a bit daggy but the deeper the album gets the more local it sounds and the better the world is for it.
Hyvää soittoa ja eritoten letkeää kitarointia, sanoista en ymmärtänyt sanakaan... Deluxe-version kaksi coveria oli tuttuja.
Listened before? No Familiar with the artist? No Thoughts: - Almost immediately was into this, yay! - I can have trouble getting into music when I don't understand the lyrics, but it helps when the songs are danceable 😄 And great melodies throughout. I was never bored listening to it. - I have to say, I think I like this type of blues more than the American blues I've heard so far. Favorite track(s): Petit Metier (I did understand a bit of this one, but I'm far from fluent in French 😅
Protest singers and protest songs - great stuff and the sound is so rich and bluesy.
Really nice guitar rhythms. Loads of energy in the band. Great sound.
3.5
Great album, really doesn't let up! Reminds me a lot of Seasick Steve in places.
Just not my jam
some great blues
Never heard before but it was more than decent and I will definitely listen again. The band had a really interesting sound and I enjoyed the vocals even though I didn't understand them! Favourite tracks...Nick and Mali
Meh
Neat but I'll never listen to it again.
The rhythm carries everything here — the guitar dances rather than leads, and the voices lock into it like another percussion line. It's blues and West African music at the same time, though calling it a mixture undersells it: they don't sit side by side, they're the same thing. Sung entirely in local languages, which only makes it land harder. Unique.
This was interesting. I found the Western approach to instrumentation to be very interesting - it definitely contrasts the vocals, but that’s what makes this so intriguing. While I didn’t love the whole album and found it to become weaker after about 5-6 tracks, I can definitely see the appeal and might listen to some more of their music.
This is pleasant enough. Doubt I come back to it ever, though.
Unexpected and very welcome
Excellent Malian blues. Guitar and vocals (and antifascism) reminiscent of Tinarawen. At times meditative.
Such a beautiful, raw and emotional record. I believe that, in the same way western music was molded and inspired by African music, Tuareg music can unlock a deep feeling that, funny enough, doesn't require a full set of instruments or complex production techniques
I don't like world music, but this was pretty interesting! I was pleasantly surprised by this album. It's like a mixture of 70s rock with Santana-esque riffs, with a dash of more experimental stuff? It's hard to categorize, but I did like it.
What a fantastic opening song!
I appreciate the energy that comes from every song on this album. The blues mixed with Songhai sound does work for me. This album is very consistent, every song has good energy, that being said every song is just decently good. Nothing particularly grabs my interest; it isn’t a tedious listen but it isn’t one that I need to return to ever.
See this is what I want to hear, not obscure ass British electronic. Some amazing rhythms and guitar stuff.
Very interesting listen
Hybrid blues and African music. Not earth breaking, but highly listenable.
Angenehm melodische Musik. Von den Texten verstehe ich leider nichts. 3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is an African blues album. While I don't understand any of the lyrics, the instrumentation, and especially the guitar work, is great. I wouldn't mind hearing this again, although I may not seek it out, and I am glad to have heard it once.
I like the music. It’s clear to me tbeyre talented. It’s hard to get into because I can’t sing along so it’s not something I’d listen to on the regular.
Nice music
These songs slap. Desert blues was bound to be up my alley and this did not disappoint. The quality starts to trail off a bit toward the end of the album, but overall it was just a great time.
Evidently, I like desert blues - which I did not know existed 40 minutes ago. Music In Exile starts strong then fades and the songs get pretty similar. Heard some Chuck Berry influence on the A side that was not present on the B side. Overall, enjoyed the listen. Thanks once again to The 1001 Must Hear List for the exposure to new music. (3.2*s) Mali 🇲🇱 is in northwestern Africa by Ivory Coast. Back in the 14th century, Mali was a chief gold supplier and the city of Timbuktu was a major trade and cultural center. The Songhai empire was destroyed by Morocco in the late 1500s. The French conquered Mali in 1898. In the 1960s, Mali broke with the French and became fully independent. There has been unrest in the country since…
The Songhoy Blues Boys are my favorite African music thus far from the list. The guitar work mixed with good tribal beats and chanting is lively. "Irganda" is my fave. Side A more upbeat...started to slow down by the end of Side B. Sad story that these guys had to make music in exile from their home country. Insane to me that in modern times, there are still extreme religious groups that stifle simple pleasures in life like music. No matter how bad we think we got it here, no comparison to a lot of the world. Glad that Casablancas took notice and got this record released in USA. 2.66 stars.
I may have run into these guys in the past through Damon Albarn's work with Africa Express, his Mali Music phase and his and other musician support as they got some local crossover. Reading up on Songhoy Blues I was excited to see that they grew up on classic rock hits but still didn't expect much heading into Music In Exile. I was pretty excited as the first few songs ticked by and I was greeted by a nice mash up of African music with a rock foundation. Seems like the Songhoy boys were well studied and practiced in their rock roots. Their passion came through pretty well throughout the album as it really did sound like a legit attempt at an African rock band. It did start to lose me in the latter half of the album but by then I was already impressed about what I had been exposed to. All in all a pretty cool album by the unrelated Toure boys and yet another nice international entry from the list. I don't expect I would have gone out of my way for this previously but now if I see Songhoy blues in the wild I'll check them out a bit more. 2.79 stars
8/10 Best songs: Soubour, Petit Metier, Jolie Excellent world music albums two days in a row? Be still my beating heart. This album by Songhoy Blues is exactly what I was hoping to hear when I started this project - I find music by Malian exiles frankly far more compelling than yet another Beatles or Beatles-related album. The guitars and beats on this album are absolutely outstanding. The name of the group is exactly what you get - this is blues at its finest, with a very clear Songhoy influence. My only complaint is that some of the songs don't really work for me, but you know, that happens. Good addition to the list.
A little too repetitive, but man, this is the sort of stuff this list was meant to help you discover.
Very cool more like this
This is a great album. It is a bit sad that they would reach a greater audience if they sang in english. This is better than a lot of the english stuff out there.
cool stuff, interesting background story
It's fine, I guess. Decent rock album with cool rhythm. The two distinctive bits are the rhythm and the singing. It's like danceable rock. The singing is less than spectacular and if some was spoken in English, I didn't catch much of it. The whole thing sort of blends together, even upon repeated listeninigs. i don't know. It's ok to hear and to get their story. But it's not a classic or necessary album. I'll be kind and give it a 3 because there's not really anything terrible about it. I'd just never choose it.
AYYYYYYYY
This was a pretty smooth listen.
Some crazy but soothing African music pretty decent stuff - different to everything else I've listened to so far and a nice changeup
Lovely!
Funky. I like this
Wow this album was a vibe. The guitar work is sensational and the grooves & energy in the tracks grab you immediately. I've never listened to world desert blues like this but it's safe to say I'm a fan. The energy drops a bit for me towards the back third - but that really is nit picking. It's a strong 8/10 from me.
Banger.
Interesting, Nice to see some more international talents appear here.
No conozco el contexto del álbum me parece que el nombre suena muy pesado en el sentido de que para que se diera este álbum probablemente tuvieran que luchar Tiene una especie de rock bastante clásico o relativamente estándar pero es disfrutable, creo que no hay ninguna canción en específico que pueda destacar por si sola, pero es cuánto menos interesante en un principio su propuesta
brother, never understood the idea of including newer music that just sounds mediocre just for the sake of being open for new things. I will say that the music isn't a load of bullshit either.
esta bien que se yo no es regular porque esta interesante por la diferencia de lenguaje, pero hasta ahi.
Heard before?:❌️ Will listen again?:✔️ Albums like this remind me why I'm hanging onto this project. Probably would've never found this gem otherwise
Album 307. Music In Exile — Songhoy Blues (2015) African blues? Wow. It's solid, unexpected and exactly what I need from the challenge 3/5 No liked songs
DNF - but it was kinda vibey to put on in the background!
never would have listened to this without this site, what a blessing
This is the kind of thing I come to this list for. Bringing tight guitar riffs into beautiful world music is just delightful.
cool
This is the best part of the challenge, finding an album you’d never listen to usually and discovering a hidden gem
Definitely the type of album this list was made to showcase
This was just okay. Maybe in the not for me category, but I’m also glad it exists. It’s a little repetitive but also has a blues and post-punk influenced sound where that’s more expected.
Was hoping this would be a revival of the sound of Ofege and Wells Fargo highlighting the strifes of 70s Africa in Zimbabwe and Nigeria. This wasn't that at all but it still was not too bad.
Excellent African rock. Sounds both familiar and new and exciting at the same time
Interesting! But not my cup of tea. 3/5.
Not bad just not my thing.
Fantastic album, this is what I really wanted from the list, music i would have never experienced in my own. Fantastic vibe, very skillful playing and just brilliant all round. 4.5
Vibe storm
No estoy muy familiarizada con este estilo musical
Unfortunately, twice in a row now for me, I am judging an album where I don't speak the language - meaning I can only really grade based on vibes and the feel of the music. On the surface, it feels like a really odd juxtaposition: Middle East/North African language, along side a musical style which is so ubiquitously Western. But when you think about it a little more, it represents something special. Humans from all over the world share far more in common than what we have as differences. Some things are universal to humanity - music is one of those things. And musical styles aren't fixed in time or place. I must admit, I know very little about Arabian, or African music. But I think I noticed something. The songs seem to swing between Arabian and African influence. Between Arabic, and an African language (which I unfortunately can't identify). This chopping and changing reflects the cultural and political conflicts which were and continue to be far too common across the region.
This is the kind of stuff I was hoping to find in this project. Had my head bobbing often and I found myself making that face when you hear something funky. Really liked this. Will definitely add to my collection. 4 stars
After the run of mediocre offerings I've recently had, this was a very welcome break. I've heard some of this before via the radio, and to be honest the album is a decent listen, but just short of the 'to buy list'. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit 🫳 ★★★☆☆(6/10) Total reviewed : 418 Already owned : 93 Purchased : 21 To buy : 5 Nope : 299
9/10
Very surprising album. Several of the songs on the first half of the album reminded me of the best Black Keys songs. The back half of the album slowed down, and was a little less interesting. Overall, I really dug this one. More of this on the list!
Pretty damn good world music! Had never heard of them beforehand and was impressed by the blend of blues into their sound. Not a whole lot of staying power but was happy for the journey they took me on today!
Amazing stuff
Megusta la música, no tanto las voces que resultan repetitivas. Me aparece bien que se les haya incluido en la selección.
i actually really enjoyed this album, who would have thought ?
Courtesy of Julian Casablanca's record label, Damon Albarn and the singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, we have this group from Mali who have pioneered 'Desert Blues'. Whilst not drawing me in entirely this band can really play, there is some fluid guitar interweaving and some serious bluesy sounds on offer. I can't help hearing some of the characteristics of the playing on Graceland and the album explores a few more contrasting avenues as it develops. They've emerged from hard times and this is where the great blues also originated. Andy Kershaw would've no doubt loved them.....
not in the book to tell me why I should listen. bit tiresome.
Garbage
kinda like the black keys and i don't really like the black keys
62/100
Great album which I never would have listened to otherwise, with exceptional musicianship and great vocals. No idea what they are saying, but the story behind the band is inspiring. 8/10
rym 3.33 Songhai Music/Afro-Rock 远超预期，虽说本来对非洲的现代音乐就没什么概念吧。甚至品出了一些七八十年代迷幻摇滚，以及更早的布鲁斯的味道。律动，吉他音乐可以说是这张专辑的一切。可以称得上是遗珠。 pick: Al Hassidi Terei, Ai Tchere Bele, Mali
Cool african sound, haven't listened to anything like this before
better than expected but got a bit repetitive
Honestly have enjoyed other desert blues albums much more
It’s pleasant but not necessarily interesting
Cool rhythms, interesting backstory, overall enjoyed it. Al hassidi terei is a banger. Rest is quite simple and can get very repetitive
Unique and energetic. This is good stuff!
Yep, you can just put that desert blues right the fuck into my veins.
Ágætt stöff. Held fjarkanum að mér en það væri hægt að sannfæra mig um að breyta.
really cool vibe. Soubour, Sekou Oumarou, Petit Metier were some of my favourites on the album.
Different, good, lovely blues
Desert blues from Mali - interesting and enjoyable
Great album from a great band. Very compelling mix of classic blues and r&b riffs with a unique Songhoy flair. Desert blues is always a great listen -- but even more so here where the music is a form of resistance. Ai Tchere Bele is a favorite on my first listen. The drum beat is a bit of a departure from the more straightforward bluesy grooves so far. And that bassline is incredible. You can really hear the layered peices of the band all weaving together on this track. Reminds me of some afrobeat tunes in that way. Wayei is another favorite, for many of the same reasons. Really wish I could find a good translation of the lyrics -- but, no luck so far.
Meh
Wowsers, where did that come from? Ashamed to say I’d never heard of Songhoy Blues. This album is terrific, full of foot stompers and mellow tunes, and an instant addition to my library.
Started strong and definitely worth a few more listens.
Great start to the album but I got a bit bored halfway through
Anyone who says they don’t like this bc they can’t understand the words. You’re telling me you understand the words in come on Eileen or send me on my way or so many other songs like that ??
Did not understand a single word of this album. Still really enjoyed it, especially the guitar. Definitely a good pick
Read up on this band post-listen. Incredible story. I had never heard of or listened to desert blues but I'm now so intrigued by the genre - the unique blend of very Americana and traditional rhythm and style, in the political context, is such a great example of guitars being a vehicle for protest and expression during upheaval.
Really liked this. Kind of like hearing Sunny Ade the first time.
sourbour har fantastisk bas hele albummets bas er fantastisk
Agréable et surprenant!
Favourite Songs: Al Hassidi Terei Sekou Omarou Nick
It felt like traveling halfway around the world just to listen to The Black Keys. It was fine, but had nothing that stood out to me.
definitely nothing like i’ve heard before in my life and even though i couldn’t understand the words i felt the vibes
sometimes the international stuff just doesn't hit with me, but i liked this album.
Nice listen - not heard of them before, but nice melodic listen
Great sounds, sounded a little like early black keys but with a more rhythmic sound and it gets more varied as the album goes on
Surprising banger. Faves = Soubour and Jolie
fusion of blues and wicked Malian rhythms and vocals, what's not to like? 7.5 / 10 Best track/s: Soubour, Petit Matier, Irganda
Pretty catchy for something I'd likely never know about or listen to
Boring at best. 2 good songs.
What a way to cap off a year of this challenge. This album was phenomenal
This was really cool, like just some interesting chill stuff. Wouldn't normally listen too but sounds really good.
Really liked the first half but the second half wasn’t as exciting, 3.5 for me
Some straight bangers on this. Could have been a bit shorter with the lack of dynamism but still heat. 3.5.
3.5
dope album. good to know this list includes albums from outside Refreshing change from the tons of brit rock I've gotten so far.
Not a fan but they seem like chill dudes
Really interesting blues album , definitely worth a listen
A very unique Blues project. A fusion of Blues and African folk music, I was completely blown away immediately upon opening the song. Each song provided a different experience and vibe. The instrumentation was immaculate and the addition of traditional African beats and rhythms blended seamlessly with the overall Blues vibes. Absolutely worth a listen and maybe more.
This is a prime example of why I was interested in trying this 1001 albums experience. Absolutely outstanding album. The guitar work was impeccable yet unpredictable. The vocal harmonies were top notch. I unfortunately didn't understand the lyrics, but it didn't impede my enjoyment.
I very much enjoyed the instrumentation and melodies, overall a very enjoyable listening experience, though not something I see myself coming back to.
This was fun, but I don't think it was for me.
kind of impressed a non-english album made it on this list. the instruments are great, and the vibes were high for sure.
Had low expectations, but it wasn't bad
Love this album!!
Ehhh I didn't really care for it. Nothing caught my attention but it wasn't really bad either I guess.
File in the "heard of, but never heard, and had no idea what to expect". Didn't know they were from Mali. Didn't know they were desert blues. Instantly liked. I'll admit I wanted to give this a five but I can't without more investment. I love the first few tracks. It's simplistic, but easy to compare to the other two prominent Malian bands I know - Tinariwen and Amadou and Mariam. They seem to cross both quite well in terms of style. But I was digging most of it. Also is this the first album on this list without it's own Wikipedia entry?
This was so much better than I thought it would be. Not sure how likely I am to come back to this but I really enjoyed this.
I was quite excited about this having read about them and why they exist etc. the first track kicked in with a cool bluesy guitar riff and I got more excited, but it just didn't really go where I hoped. I thought with it being a bit of a rebellion it would get a bit more aggressive, or distraught or something and a few other riffs were cool, but it stayed firmly in the nice territory which I felt lacked a bit of oomph. Not bad, not great, middling fine. I doubt I'll search them out again.
This is why this list exists - giving folks like me an opportunity to listen to a beautiful album I otherwise never would have listened to. Not understanding a single word didn’t matter whatsoever. You could feel their passion and joy in every beat. Happy I listened to this.
A fun modern take on the blues. If I was more of a blues guy I would probably rate it higher.
I don’t know why I was so surprised by the sound of the music when they literally have the word “blues” in the band name. Super interesting and different sound.
one of those albums where i likely never would have heard it if not for this website! i don't have much to say but this was a nice rock album and it was awesome getting to hear music from mali.
Hhg
This is actually quite frustrating, I really wish this list had more albums like this. Every time I get one, I never really know what to make of it, because instead of getting familiar with other non-western music, I'm being given more bullshit by Happy Mondays or whatever that nobody needs to hear. I did enjoy a lot of this, some moments were so fun and energetic, I couldn't help but groove a little bit. I found it to be a bit inconsistent, you still have plenty of meandering a capella parts too. But hey, maybe I could have enjoyed those parts more if I actually had the chance to listen to more music like this.
Decent R n B album
Desert blues est un des meilleurs genre de musique. Ca m'a fait penser à Tinariwen, qui sont Tuareg. Eux sont Songhoy, quasiment la même région. Groupe créé à Bamako après exil forcé du Nord du Mali, il voulait transmettre l'ambiance du nord. Les guitares et l'ambiance sont folles, l'histoire du groupe est belle, je réécouterai.
Another delightful African album. I think the creator of this album playlist is full of himself. He probably doesn't know what is being said, but wants to come off as being cultured. And from the selection of albums on this list, he clearly is not.
Another great album I had never heard of, full of foot tapping beats in a wonderful west African blues rock experience. A lively album that was a lot of fun to listen to, while also not over staying its welcome.
For the most part, this was pretty boring blues music and was only interesting because the lyrics were whatever foreign language they were. However, some songs had impressive syncopated rhythms where the band's native culture shone through the otherwise boring and generic western style of the music.
Not really my thing
Very interesting record. Fela kuti but it’s blues and folk
Hell yeah, this is pretty much blues rock filtered through the lens of Malian folk music. The result is very cool, and honestly a really transformative take on blues rock. The re-incorporation of African music into music which descends from African music is a really interesting full circle moment and results in really cool rhythmic and melodic ideas. Honestly, some of the more "rock" moments here even remind me a little of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, which may kind of make sense, because I think they draw from similar musical worlds. And Music In Exile was, really, made in exile. As far as I could tell, this was recorded after escaping Sharia law. But regardless, the content here is unique, exciting blues rock.
This is some blues I can get behind, making a pretty interesting blend with rock and African influences, with an interesting story too Highlights: Al Hassidi Terei, Nick, Ai TchereBele, Jolie
01) Soubour - 8,0 02) Irganda - 7,5 03) Al Hassidi Terei - 7,0 04) Sekou Oumaru - 7,5 05) Nick - 7,5 06) Ai Tchere Bele - 7,0 07) Wayei - 7,0 08) Petit Metier - 7,5 09) Jolie - 7,0 10) Desert Melodie - 7,0 11) Mali - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,27 (73/100)
pretty fun even though I don't know the language lol. nice guitar playing
I quickly tired of the repetitive sound of this album, but did you joy a few bright spots and uniqueness
Interesting mix of genres
Buen ritmo.
has a decent bit of range to it, which is nice as the songs that rock harder don't do as much for me as the acoustic bluesier ones. one could write a good piece on the reclamation of African influences, but i'm content to just speak on my admiration for Ai Tchere Bele and Petit Metier. deserves to be one of the 1001? it's probably one of the more important desert blues-y albums from its time. i think yes, but i might swap it for something in a similar but distinctively Saharan vein like an album by Mdou Moctar or Tinariwen
This was quite a nice little surprise one with a saddening m/inspiring back story. It’s got some real black keys similarities especially “Soubour” - I also enjoyed “Petit Metier” quite a bit. A nice upbeat album, with some great guitar playing crossed with funky rhythms.
A decent desert blues album though I find it a little boring compared to their most recent album "Heritage".
Cool African blues. This is the type of album that I never would’ve heard if not for this list, and I am very happy I did hear it.
African music has such amazing & unique melodies & grooves. This is a pretty cool album.
Oh this rules. Really complex and intricate blues rock that is still quite danceable. An album that I would likely have never heard of if it wasn't for this site. Thanks Dimery
Do love these and tinariwan
This ruled, though I think my favorite type of blues is always going to be a bit raunchier than this.
I wasn't familiar with the desert blues genre before listening to Songhoy Blues's Music in Exile, but I really enjoyed it.
I am on world music tilt at the minute anyway, so this is hitting fantastically well
A faultless masterpiece. No further notes
I’d love to give this a higher score, as it’s led me down a path listening to a load of North African and Saharan music. But truth be told this album, whilst good, was very background music and even though I played out twice nothing stood out sadly.
I quite liked this as background music
Fantastic - I suspect I actually enjoy blues more when I don't understand the language its sung in. Looking forward to listening to more of their stuff.
I don’t really listen to blues but find the lyrics to be very repetitive, the songs are catchy though. The album isn’t bad, overall it’s an ok album
Very good
This was such a surprising soulful revelation.
This really makes me want to buy a brand new, 0% APR, AWD, Jeep.
DAMN esses caras sabem das coisas!!!!
From KLOF Mag: "[The Toures] wasted no time in heading south to Bamako, where the decision was taken to play music together, partly to offer a little entertainment to other refugees from the north, and partly as an act of defiance against the imposition of the culturally suppressive and frankly ludicrous ideas that music was sinful and had no place in Mali. To quote Garba, 'The world without music? It would be a prison, right?'" https://klofmag.com/2015/02/songhoy-blues-music-in-exile/
Half the songs could solve world peace. The other half could spark world revolution. I want to live a life that discovers more albums like this one.
I found myself enjoying this quite a lot, surprisingly since it is quite different from most of my usual stuff I listen to
One of our newest albums and also, interestingly, from Mali! I found this good but not amazing. Maybe if I understood the political climate and lyrical content of the songs it would mean more to me.
Some good shit right here
Pretty cool. Theres an insightful review down below somewhere so I won't restate their notes. But; Language barrier dings it a star because I can't be critical. but it is damn really good 2010's blues rock revival. Akin to the Black Keys but with more worldly influence injected in.
I think the music was really good but I didn't really like or understand the lyrics or the language that the song was spoken in. I feel like I kinda missed out on that part and it didn't really add anything to the song for me.
Forming a band during war and becoming a refugee is unreal. Love the music, I think I’m too sad for the energy right now.
het verhaal was beter dan de muziek helaas
The music isn’t as mind-blowing as the story behind it but it was still a good listen.
had never heard of these guys, but i really like them! will be listening more!! 4/5
sure why not
It's not the same language but this really reminds me of my best friend from pre-school, a Swahili speakin Tanzanian cat. Good times. Nice music! Kid was wild. His mama cooked good food, I didn't appreciate it back then though, as the whitest kid of all time.
very nice album to have in the background while designing
favs: soubour al hassidi terei sekou oumarou rating 1.4/5
# Songhoy Blues - *Music in Exile*: An In-Depth Review ## The Context: Music as Defiance To understand *Music in Exile*, you must first understand its origins. The members of Songhoy Blues—Garba Touré (guitar), Aliou Touré (vocals), Oumar Touré (bass), and Nathanaël Dembélé (drums)—are from Gao in northern Mali, forced to flee to the capital Bamako in 2012 when Islamist militants imposed Sharia law and **banned music entirely**. Guitarist Garba Touré was warned he would face dire consequences if caught with his instrument again. As he put it: "The world without music? It would be a prison, right?" The band formed in Bamako partly as an act of defiance, playing marathon four-hour sets in city clubs and bars. Their breakthrough came when they cold-called producer Marc-Antoine Moreau, who was scouting for Damon Albarn's Africa Express project, leading to a collaboration with Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist **Nick Zinner**. Their signing to Atlantic Records marked the first time the label had signed an African act since 1972. --- ## Music & Production ### The Sound: Desert Blues Meets Rock 'n' Roll The album's music is a vibrant fusion of traditional Malian guitar styles and Western rock and blues. Critics note that Mali had "perfected the blues before there even *was* a blues", and the band's connection to this lineage is direct—guitarist Garba Touré's father was percussionist for the legendary Ali Farka Touré. The band themselves reject the "world music" label, insisting: "We're just a band with the same influences as lots of other musicians. We're just a rock band". This comes through in the music—**Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, and Tupac** are as much influences as traditional Songhoy sounds. ### Production Approach Nick Zinner's production is notably restrained. One critic observed that "apart from a few spots of atmospheric multi-layering... his presence is barely discernible; the vast majority of *Music In Exile* features the sparse but richly nuanced sound of a supremely well-oiled band... doing their intoxicating live thing in a room whilst a recorder's switched on". This approach captures the energy of their legendary live sets while maintaining clarity. --- ## Lyrics & Themes ### Displacement and Hope Despite being born from forced exile, the album is surprisingly **joyful and life-affirming**. The title song "Soubour" (meaning "patience") opens the album as "a message to the Malian people to be patient" in rebuilding their lives after war. The lyric translates as a request for patience—"Without patience, nothing is possible". ### Unity and Environmental Awareness "Irganda" ("our environment") addresses climate change, pleading for greater understanding of humanity's contribution to environmental degradation. The closing track "Mali" expresses belief in national unity "beyond cynicism and hate". The band explains: "We want our music to celebrate peace and reconciliation, because we can all be united in music despite our differences of culture or religion or ethnicity". --- ## Track Highlights | Track | Character | |-------|-----------| | **"Soubour"** | Angular bluesy groove with "guitar riffs sharp enough to stand in for razors" | | **"Irganda"** | "Indescribably funky" with nimble bounce and hypnotic riff | | **"Nick"** | Evokes Canned Heat's "On the Road Again"; "could pass as an American bar blues standard" | | **"Ai Tchere Bele"** | "Almost dangerously fast slab of funk" with intricate drum/bass interplay | | **"Desert Melodie"** | Major-key call for ethnic harmony with ambient textures | | **"Mali"** | Heartfelt acoustic closer about national unity | --- ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Joyful defiance**: Transforms tragic origins into remarkably uplifting music - **Genre-blending mastery**: Effortlessly fuses traditional Malian music, American blues, and rock - **Exceptional guitar work**: Sharp riffs and solos that critics compare to the best of desert blues - **Accessible production**: Zinner's clean, restrained approach lets the band shine - **Diverse range**: Moves from high-energy funk to reflective acoustic ballads - **Universal appeal**: Transcends language barrier—"the sweat, and joy, and determination come through regardless" ### Cons - **Some predictability**: Critics note the album is "impressively varied and rousing, if somewhat predictable," owing debts to Ali Farka Touré and Tinariwen - **Inconsistent energy**: Some listeners find certain slower tracks lacking the energy of uptempo highlights - **Language barrier**: Without translated lyric sheets, the depth of meaning can be missed - **Second-half drag**: One listener noted the album "kind of shifts tones and really mellows out which wasnt a positive" --- ## Influence & Legacy *Music in Exile* stands as one of the most significant African rock albums of the 2010s. It takes the Desert Blues tradition—strongly associated with Tuareg artists like Tinariwen—and pushes it forward, injecting "ancient song forms with the cranked-up spirit of the past masters of the electric Blues and some of the rock flash of Jimi Hendrix". The result is music that feels both deeply rooted and thoroughly contemporary. The album's cultural significance extends beyond music. Songhoy Blues' story is documented in the film *They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile*. Their signing to Atlantic Records represents a rare major-label investment in an African group. --- ## Verdict *Music in Exile* succeeds as both a document of defiance and a joyous celebration of music's power to unite. While not without occasional predictability, it delivers "one of the most well-balanced and optimistic records" of its year. For anyone seeking an entry point into contemporary African rock, or simply great guitar music with a powerful story, this album is essential listening.
-1 star cuz I didn't understand what they were saying
7/10
Albums like Music in Exile are why I started this journey into the 1001. Songhoy Blues brings music and culture from their corner of Mali, legitimately from Timbuktu. Their infusion of Songhai lyrics into desert blues about their war torn region is a unique perspective that you just don't get in the west. I'm not the world's biggest blues fan but I enjoyed this cool window into a different part of the planet.
Wasnt expecting this! Amazing album! The vocalizations of this language is so interesting! And the instrumentation here is also great. Amazing find!
Really cool and catchy music and even though I don't understand a word I still bob along to all of the songs. Its not a music genre I listen to often though so probably not something I will come back to but I had a great time listening through it and reading up about the band. Definitely an album that deserves to be on this list!
One of the best things about this challenge is getting introduced to artists and genres I probably never would have found on my own. I had never heard of Songhoy Blues, and I had never even heard the term “desert blues,” but the story behind the group’s formation is fascinating—and thankfully, the music itself is also a delight to listen to. The instrumentation sounds incredibly solid, the rhythms are infectious, and the whole album has a natural toe-tapping energy. I have no idea what they’re saying most of the time, but it really doesn’t matter. The music communicates plenty on its own. I especially enjoyed the grooveier tracks, where the band really locks into a rhythm and lets it carry the song. Some of the tracks do begin to blend together after a while, but it’s such an enjoyable sound that I never minded too much. I’m genuinely glad someone decided this album belonged in the book, because without this challenge, I probably never would have known it existed.
Really easy to listen to and enjoy
Vunzig
MI SENTO IN VACANZA. PUO' DARSI CHE IL TESTO SIA MOLTO PIU' PROFONDO DI UNA SEMPLICE VACANZA, MA NON CAPISCO NULLA E VA BENE COSI'. E' QUELLO CHE CERCAVO DA QUESTA LISTA. ME LO ASCOLTEREI RARAMENTE, MA ALMENO E' QUALCOSA DI DIVERSO IN QUESTA LISTA ANGLOCENTRICA. "AL HASSIDI TEREI" E' LA MIA TRACCIA PREFERITA. 3/5
crudo, de raiz ! interesante para escuchar música cruda y rica
Fun surprise. Blues rock, with african vibe. One of the rare discoveries that this list brings
Songhoy Blues or Houmous & Chutney? So unbelievably similar. 3.4 4/11 Sekou Oumarou
When I decided to do this exercise this was why I wanted to do it to hear albums I would never have known existed nevertheless listened to. The music is great, guitars rock and even without understanding a word they say the lyrics draw you in. Very glad I was able to find this album
GEEENIAAAL. siempre musica en ingles y español y esto me sorprendió una banda. hermosooo, por momentos me sentí parte de una tribu nativa ahre
couldn’t get into it
Shows that African music is as diverse as any.
Reminiscent of Tehran rock
Very cool sound!
listening, it was very good, two songs that i reccomend listening Soubour, Irganda too
Enjoyed this. Great rhythms and harmonies. Love music that takes you on a journey not just the music but through interest in the musicians background. I ended up with new music and new understanding about life around the world.
Африканская надежда на будущее. Это самая популярная около блюзовая группа из Мали. Как будто по одному описанию можно понять, что врятли вы услышите некачественную и не интересную музыку. Так, очевидно и оказалось - музыка очень достойная и необычная. Ритмика энергетика - полностью описывают желание жить и желание это обособленно от любых внешних и внутренних факторов. Желание - просто желание и в музыке ты его слышь абсолютно в каждой композиции. Очень приятный шлейф панковости и грязности звука. Мне альбом понравился на уровне опыта прослушивания чего-то неизвестного и явно уникального. Не слишком сильно откликается именно это звучание со мной,поэтому. Оценка 5/10.
Synes det er et mega stærkt world album, men det prøver ikke at lyde så world men holde fast i traditionelle Maliske traditioner. Det er produceret af Nick Zinner fra Yeah yeah yeahs og har også gæsteperformance fra ingen anden end Damon Albarn på backup vokaler. Men det er ikke noget der er gennemtrængende, fordi det vigtigste var at bevare musiktraditionen som åbenbart blev udfordret af at der var krig i deres hjemland af Islamistiske grupper hvor de prøvede at forbyde musik, De gjorde det åbenbart ved at ødelægge instrumenter og straffe folk som lyttede eller spillede musik. De flygtede så og lavede dette hvor de både synger om ansvar om at beskytte kloden, krig og deres baggrund. Det er med i teksterne men det er stadig et grooby, og dessert blueset album. Dessert blues kommer af de sahariske områder som har call and response og er guitarbasseret. Det ændrer sig igennem små variatoner og ikke akkordskift. Det minder mig meget om ali farka bare uden gang i, og de har også en i bandet som spillede percussion for ham, så det giver mening at der er noget som flyder over. Men de holder det stadig til deres eget. Synes honestly det er 10/10 har gemt alle sange. Synes der er massere af sjæl i det, hvilket er endnu mere forstærket af hvad der var populært i samtiden med synth pop, EDM, rnB og Rap on the rise. Synes bare det har en super fed historie som forstærker den fede lyd. Lyttede til det på en dag hvor jeg lige havde stoppet noget med en ekskæreste, så det er meget befriende at få en smule perspektiv i noget stort selvom det man vil antage som små ting også kan være stort for en. Det giver en følelse af at det nok skal gå så længe man kæmper :) (kopieret fra chatgpt) Grunden til, at Music in Exile er på 1001 Albums, er i bund og grund, at den forener en stærk historisk fortælling med musik, der ikke behøver fortællingen for at fungere. Den dokumenterer et forsøg på at forbyde musik og fordrive en kultur, men svarer ikke med et tungt monument. Den svarer med guitarriff, grooves, fællessang og bevægelse. Det er en moderne malisk rockplade, en desert-bluesplade, en politisk plade og en festplade på samme tid — og dens vigtigste budskab ligger måske i, at bandet overhovedet findes og spiller.
Sounded pretty good despite not being able to understand it. I liked the rhythm, upbeat tempo and vocals.
Without being able to listen to the lyrics its just okay. Reading the history I wish I was able to understand them more.
I have downloaded one of their songs in the past, but it’s not from this album. I love this album. I don’t understand the lyrics but the music and voices hook me. Didn’t know there was a “desert blues” genre until I looked at the Wiki link.
Some great songs but I don't know the genre well enough. Towards the end it sounds a bit repetitive. 3.5/5
Pitkästä aikaa afrikkalaista musiikkia. Tämä oli miellyttävää kuunneltavaa, vaikka sanaakaan en ymmärtänyt. Yhtyeellä on varsin kiinnostava taustatarina.
This is really very good. They’d be superb live. A great find from this list.
Bueno world music
Interesting to hear blues mixed with music from another country
This is kind of a jam. Unexpected for sure.
I had never heard of them before but this record is soo cool and so groovy!
Bunch of losers can't tell a groove when it's not in English
There is stuff going on here. Good stuff.
Enjoyed this album. This is a style I never would have come across on my own.
The guitar on the first track was interesting, but really this just isn’t for me.
That’s more like it!
Desert Blues is my most favorite world music genres. I first got into African rock music in the 90s, through a co-worker at a Caribbean restaurant who was from Zimbabwe who got me into Fela. I would show him bands like The Clash and Velvet Underground. Later on, I found those Zamrock! comps and just got interested rock music from Africa. Another coworker introduced Group Inerane and I got into Tuareg and desert blues. It’s so interesting to hear blues rock return to its roots. Instead of American blues with straight forward 2/4 beats, this Polyrhythmic closer to funk with emphasis on the one. Circular, arpeggiated guitar parts and loops. I love this stuff. 4.3
I enjoyed this! Not something I’d listen to all the time but very good nonetheless.
DNF soubour Enjoying this?! (Good guitar) Petit metier Sekou feels a little on the slower side for me
07/09 Not bad
Album cover and first song sounding like a truck commerical had me scared - everything else was mostly fine. Would give a 2.5 if able
A great discovery
4/5
Surprisingly enjoyed this one. I’m not usually the biggest fan of international music (I like to understand the lyrics), but this one was a great vibe
Once you learn that the author of ‘1001 albums’ hasn’t listened to the albums, sometimes one generates, and you wonder, in this case “I bet he only put this album here to counter claims he doesn’t include music from around the world” and so I come into this album with low expectations, as my research for the album felt uber limited. So I end up surprised when I end up really enjoying the sounds on this album, it really is something nice that I never would’ve even discovered if not for this list. As oddball of an inclusion it is, and whatever reason its inclusion may be, I am here for it
не было доступно нигде, кроме одной песни. послушала Ali Farka Tuore с которым тут сравнивают. Сказочно. Надо переслушать все
Perfect album for this sort of list and project, give me more of this instead of the 30th fucking mediocre britpop album
Always great to hear something on this list, that's not from England of even from the western music world. This is nice, blues influenced rock which is rally fun. Could use a little more edge and variation, though, and drums are pretty boring, I sometimes thought I was hearing a drum machine.
Imagine having to move because the new regime bans music....
Hell yeah this rocked. A little bit too much time spent on songs that had basically nothing besides guitar towards the end but otherwise, this was great.
Some African blues to give my morning a lift.
Solid blues album. Not riffs for riffs sake, but well played guitar, drums and bass.
Very interesting. Never listened to Mail music before. I dig this.
Mid
i like it, but it’s really not my cup of tea
tosta oli niiiin mielenkiintosta lukea
8, tocará escucharse nuevamente varias veces pero su mayor vicio es su mayor virtud, ofrecer algo tan puro de su región que se puede perder en la monotonía y no ofrecer una escucha distinta.
Not English
This is what guitars should sound like. Mali, the real home of the blues!
This is the stuff we've all been looking for
This was an exceptional surprise to me, the musicianship here is really top notch! A few of the songs oddly reminded me of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, this is why I started this project!
What a surprise this was. Pure vibes
This is the sort of thing that makes me like this project. I would never be introduced to this music otherwise. I had it on while I was painting and it was nice to make art to.
Interesting to read about the formation of this band after their exile from their homeland of Mali. It's a union of African vocals and American blues guitar. Great album, I'd love to see this band live.
Generally enjoyable listen
Holy cow, did I love this one. So much energy, so much life. Never would have gone looking for it but this is going into heavy rotation.
doesnt understand a single word but straight vibe
This recording completes a circle of influence spanning from the traditional African rhythms that influenced the American invention of the blues only to be taken as a reference point for a traditional Malinese guitar band. When the first few bars played, a straightforward down-tempo blues riff standard, I fretted (intended) that this would be another melancholy blues affair bereft of anything new. I’m so glad to have been quickly proven wrong. When the rhythm drops you know you’re in fresh territory. “Blues” is only a useful framework on with to hang these vibrant tapestries, but their sound is so much more. Rhythmically adventurous, inventive time signatures, infectious vocals, fierce guitar. This album is pretty sigma not gonna lie. It starts fantastic. I’d give my third eye to play guitar like the first three tracks. However it does dial down the awesome a bit in the second act. Still it closes strong. The last track may be one of my favorites. Exceptional.
Excellent African blues guitar album.
African blues not bad.
Really liked this !!!
Is fresh, is good. Didn’t expect a band from Mali to be on it, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
Fav song: Al Hassidi Terei
It was fine, upbeat and fun. I think if I heard this type of music more regularly I would appreciate this album more. It’s good for people hanging out, bars, cafés whatever. I can see myself in a bar with friends downing shots and loving this music, but I would never intentionally sit down and listen to it at home.
Very fun music. Good for a warm summery day.
I like it.
Chuckled listening to the first song. Reminded me of modern car commercials with the electric guitar riffs. What I took out of this album is that it combines world music with blues rock instruments. It’s a fascinating concept but something I’m not inclined to listen to further. It’s probably a lack of sleep but I was impatient for this album to finish during the last 4-5 songs (2.5-3).
Nice to hear some more African representation. Pretty enjoyable all around. I would give this 3.5 if I could.
Not bad. African blues. Won't come back to this but shoutout to Timbuktu
I don't understand any of this, but I'm having a great time.
Cool African blues fusion music, interesting backstory, pretty fun listen.
Good
I don’t need to understand the language to appreciate how TALENTED these guys are. And how good the beats are! I was bopping my head immediately to the first song. I am so glad I discovered them. What a gem. Their story makes me tear up. This is the one of the best examples of the healing power of music.
Great mix of blues rock with African vocals. Really enjoyed this album.
oh. mein. gott. das war suuuper, hat mich zwischendurch an house of the rising sun erinnert, sehr nice und interessant und vibey
Listened Before? N Pretty eclectic. I didn't understand a word but still didn't hate it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Sekou Oumarou
Wonderful vocals and unique sound, very nice listen
The good shit that makes you want to keep going through the list. Fun and energetic.
I enjoyed this album and checked out the background of Songhoy Blues. I wish I could understand their lyrics. Wouldn't surprise me if they sang really meaningful songs. Their musical style is sound and distinctive.
I'm vaguely familiar with Songhoy Blues, having come across them a few years ago through a recommendation on Spotify. I liked them well enough then, and I like them well enough now. They have style, enjoyable tunes, and an incredibly compelling story behind them, too. Musically, it's good, but there isn't quite enough here for me to feel justified in giving it 4 stars. That said, it's a very strong 3-star album.
Maybe the most badass story behind a debut album in history. Being pushed out of your homeland by a jihadist group and releasing music reminiscent of that homeland in protest... wow. You can feel the quiet rage emanating throughout the music, even in the more upbeat tracks. But the positives mostly end there. For a list of the 1000-odd most important albums to listen to, every spot is valuable, and the two most important criteria – sounding good, and being culturally important – aren't really fulfilled. The latter is hard to judge, especially for a recently released album, so I tend to judge by number of streams. Normally an obscure album being included is understandable if it has at least existed for a long time, and had several decades (at least) to develop a sort of underground influence. But 2015? Just 6 years before the most recently released album to make the list (the decidedly terrible Heaux Tales) and 11 years before, well, now? I'm not convinced. I suspect many of the reviews here are influenced by the music's backstory, rather than the music itself. Mostly minor or blues(-adjacent) keys. Which can feel a little repetitive. Fortunately the album is on the shorter side, so you don't feel the repetitiveness as much. To its credit, the sophomore track, Irganda, is great. Super crazy, with a fast, meandering guitar solo that brings images of early-career Steely Dan. Seriously. If Donald Fagen were the vocalist instead of the Songhoys, Irganda would sound like it had fallen right off Countdown to Ecstasy's track listing. I enjoy Sekou Oumarou, too; the swing and clicking brings a surprisingly fun reggae feel to the table. Petit Metier stands out for its oddly psychedelic instrumental, helped out by the miscellaneous people talking in the background. But many of the others – including the opener, Soubour – are either too repetitive or too rhythmically and melodically strange/inaccessible (Al Tchere Bele and Desert Melodie, I'm looking at you). 3/5 Key tracks: Irganda, Sekou Oumarou, Petit Metier
Starts off with a banger, but unfortunately settles short of that.
Excellent!
Really solid overall - had never heard of them. Fantastic guitar playing 3
The emotion comes through even though I don’t understand what they’re saying Playlist add: "Soubour"
Perdón no lo escuché, fue muy por encima pero meh
⭐⭐⭐⭐- Blues rock med world-music twist. Fräsch och kul. Förstår såklart inget men det spelar absolut ingen roll. Det svänger, det har grit och är engagerande. Velar mellan en hög 3a och svag 4a, tycker inte riktigt det håller hela vägen för 4a. Blir en svag 4a för det gör mig glad. Bäst är Soubour, Irganda, Nick, Petit metier
This was probably the most unique band I’ve ever listened to. Indie/blues/folk sounding riffs with African lyrics wow. fell off in the last 2-3 tracks but otherwise very enjoyable and unique.
Nice find. Toe tapping.
Oh yeah, tear that pussy up
Deep, rich, raw and full of energy. Combines 2 of my favourite musical themes: mid-century US electric guitar blues and 2000s African folk fusion
Lovely!
Quite fond of this, very pretty and moving.
3.75?
A new name and album to me, and what a find. An excellent Desert Blues album.
Really liking this! Wasn't expecting such a fun album.
I liked this! I don’t speak any Songhui so have no clue what they were saying but really liked the persuasiveness of the songs. And whoever sings the bass line has a really has such a nice tone