Music in Exile

This was definitely a pleasant surprise! Never heard of this band from Mali, nor any other musicians from Mali. From the first song I was digging this sound, they are fun and have a great vibe. I bet I'd like it even more if I could understand what they are saying. The layered, circular guitars with African rhythms is pretty cool. After listening to it through 2 times, I have already liked 7 out of 11 songs on Spotify - and I can't wait for them to show up in my automated playlists. I could see myself possibly liking more upon further listens. And now I want to check out some of their other albums Liked songs on Spotify: 7/11 Rating: 4/5

Nice mix between African rythyms with guitars. Al Hassidi Terei was a catchy tune.

This one is fun!

Rich vocals, soulful instrumentation, crisp production. Very little not to like.

Thought this would be American R&B like Boyz to Men. Never judge a book or cd by its cover, anyway. Really enjoyed this, an unexpected pleasure of African modern blues. Fela Kuti meets Orchestra Baobob. The fact that one of the songs is named Nick, my name, is a bonus. This is the reason I'm doing 1001 albums to discover new music I like, that otherwise would never have crossed my path. Probably 3.5 out of 5, but Friday and feeling generous so rounding up to 4 out of 5

Awesome groovy good listen.

This was a great listen, even with the language barrier. I was pleasantly surprised and found more than a few jams that were catchy and enjoyable. Which was particularly impressive, since I do not consider myself a fan of blues, usually, but I liked their spin on it.

I don’t know what the fuck is going on but these boys are spittin. Very good musicality on this album.

7.5/10 Not my usual type of music I listen to but very funky and I enjoyed it!

Very imaginative and nice grooving (thought it was a little bit like talking heads??)

I liked it— took me to the second song to realize it wasn’t in English but Blues transcends such petty concepts as language

This album is a fantastic example of why this process has value. I would have never listened to this album otherwise, and have never heard of the band. Yet I find myself really grooving with it and enjoying the sound despite not understanding the lyrics. Call me a fan.

Surprisingly good.

Did not think I would like this, expecting a very bongo-y world music sound but was pleasantly surprised. Sung in native Mali language but the guitar-playing was phenomenal and the overall rhythm and sound was very enjoyable! A solid 3.5, but will round up since I was proven wrong.

Soulful and exciting. A wonderful debut album that combines the nostalgic blues of the 50s with Saharan sounds in a fresh and new way. Best Tracks: - Soubour - Sekou Oumarou Worst Tracks: - Mali Rating: 8/10

I dont understand the words but im sure its very powerful based on the description. its good blues, i like it

Kul ørkenmusikk

I was skeptical at first when I saw the names Albarn and Casablancas in these Malians background, and when some reviews insisted this wasn’t really world music. I expected something stripped of local character. Instead, it turns out to be genuinely Malian electric music, with strong John Lee Hooker vibes. Naturally, it works perfectly for me. Malian blues, less rigid and less binary than its American counterpart, pretty much guaranteed to hit the spot. I also tried their last album made last year, and it is even better. Still, it’s a shame the lyrics and their translations aren’t easily accessible. Given their troubled background, I would have really liked to read them and not only understand few French words.

Catchy Blues, Rock; in a language I don't understand. Lovely vibes. "Mali" – wonderful song!

Interesting and unexpected and fun. I liked the first half more, it had more hooky (perhaps, more western) melodies and felt more 'groovy'. The second half felt more traditional, still good, but I don't speak the language and there wasn't as much for me to go off of. Interested in listening to the rest of their stuff.

Favourite Songs: Al Hassidi Terei Sekou Oumarou Nick

*Cool, unique blues sound

Började bra, slutade bra, och svängde rakt igenom

Ooft this kicks hard.

Soubour - 4/5 Irganda - 4/5 Al Hassidi Terei - 5/5 Sekou Oumarou - 4/5 Nick - 3/5 Ai Tchere Bele - 5/5 Wayei - 5/5 Petit Metier - 5/5 Jolie - 5/5 Desert Melodie - 4/5 Mali - 3/5 Average score: 4.3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ finally, something new to grace my ears! feels like forever since i've heard anything this interesting didn't know what to expect from Malian blues (or Malian music in general), but this was very enjoyable. non-english music on this list has been hit-or-miss, but this sounds super accessible to just about any listener regardless of country

nigeryjskie arctic monkeys

This was awesome. Like a bluesy ababdou and Miriam. Definitely will get another listen

Rock n roll in an African context. Brilliant. 4/5

Upbeat. Enjoyed.

These guys are a vibe for sure

This was an interesting listen. Never heard of them. Good versions of the blues.

This is one of my favourite albums so far that I hadn’t heard before in this project and hands down the best album I have gotten that was released in the last thirty years (at least of the albums I have gotten so far).

Was für eine Musik, Sehr schön gemacht

great, great, great! some of the newer are additions are really odd, but that's a great album!

335/1089 - What a crazy story for how this group started. Makes me feel grateful for what I have and what I don't have to deal with when living in a Western country with classically liberal values. The music is somewhat samey but also a pleasant combo of blues rock and West African rhythms and melodies.

Sounds like joy. The raw enthusiasm is infectious. I was slightly obsessed with this album when it came out. Really glad it made the list. Strong 4

Great african blues from Mali, a low to mid 4 for me, especially enjoy the high energy tracks, will check out more of their records and the docco film from the same time

mooie blend tss Afrikaans en Westers...blues met sahara kantje... toch een kleine openbaring voor mij

Classic Blues (Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Kings Albert & BB) mixed with strong Malian influence. A break from the norm for me and highly enjoyable.

I enjoyed that album. It's not really my thing but it was a good listen.

Even without their backstory, this album is great. lively and infectious.

This is why I’m here! Please, more worldwide representation.

Cooler Touareg Rock mit Fokus auf Gitarren, sehr tight

Groovt

I don’t understand the song titles, but I love the sound of Music in Exile. The vocals feel deeply rooted in West African tradition, and the bluesy, crunchy guitars give it a raw, modern edge. “Soubour” is my favorite track.

Pretty good! Enjoyed it once I got into it, not sure if it is one I'll return to all that much.

Interesting. Superb deset blues rock fusion album. Genre bending, language transcending goodness. Will have to check the translated lyrics, but the sound is raw and expressive.

A pleasant surprise. A pretty groovy blues album that trails a little toward the end. Overall a very enjoyable listen.

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.

Saw these guys open for Alabama Shakes ten years ago. Recall them being pretty good and that opinion hasn't shifted based on this listening experience. They achieved a cool guitar tone and the production is fairly crisp. As for highlights: Nick has a cool swing to it, hypnotic. Wayei- such a beautiful song; aching If the rest of the album were like these songs, it'd quite possibly be a 5-star affair.

Really enjoyed the bluesy guitar driven music on this. Currently a strong 4, might upgrade upon future listens.

Very Radio 6

oh hell yeah!

the vibes are immaculate here!

I love desert blues. As Ali Farka Toure points out, it is not blues, but draws from the same, much older African routes from whence American blues also derived. But it also incorporates elements of Western musical forms, which makes it both familiar and fresh to my Western ears. There are many familiar aspects -- the repetitive guitar riffing, the grooves, the call-and-response vocals, the pentatonic playing -- that are easy for me to understand, but when I dig in, there is much that is engaging and exciting to me, because it is a tradition that I am not familiar with. I particularly love the way that the riffs seem simple, until you start to try to unlock the rhythms, which are complex, layered and often polyrhythmic. The way that influences of Western blues, rock and funk are seamlessly woven into the fabric without being simple copy or pastiche, is a masterclass in influence without appropriation. This album is a good example of the pleasures of desert blues. It is at its best when relatively unpolished, just settling into the groove and bashing it out. The opening song, Soubour, is a particular banger. Ali Farka Toure is originator of desert blues (at least as it is understood in the West) and there have been a bunch of bands that take his lead and run with it. Songhoy Blues were the hot ticket there for a while, but they seem to have been usurped more recently by Mdou Moctar, whose more muscular rock stylings are a bit more to Western tastes. But this a record I would happily play almost any day of the week. Standout track is Soubour.

Really good album. It reminds me of mdou moctar, but I think this came first and I just didn't know. 4/5

First album that came up that I’ve never heard of. Really nice grooves throughout.

Really enjoyed this - never heard of them before but it was great to listen to something new. No idea what they were singing about but didn't detract from the enjoyment.

That was fun

Something I've never heard before!

Hell yeah! Some great guitar playing! Very bluesy!

Very enjoyable blues right off the bat. These guys can groove.

These guys took some Mali music and mixed it with some American blues to create "desert blues", a groovy infectious sound.

Had no idea wht to expect, but got some really solid blues rock. There are great songs in here, and even with the language barrier, you can feel the emotions of these musicians who have been exiled from their home country. Really glad this one’s on the list.

Amazingly infectious music. Even if you don't understand the lyrics, you can't help but enjoy the grooves,

Happy to hear this for the first time. This band rips.

Morm rečt, da me je blo strah tega albuma k sm zjutraj pogledala, kaj me čaka. Po pa še midday migrena, k še zj čutim posledice... Ampak! Zj poslušam prvi komad ("Soubour") in je hud! Hopefully bo cel album najs. So far sami bangerji. "Nick" mi ma mal old school rock'n'roll vajb. Jezik je ful zanimiv, Songhai. (Ugh, maja so bli v Kinu Šiška!) Chill, fajne kitare, prijetno. Will probably listen to again.

Impressive new find

It starts off really strong, but then kind of peters out at the end. But given the contract of the album, it's quite an amazing feat.

I did not expect to discover Malinese blues rock when starting this venture but here we are. Good riffs and guitar play with interesting use of 6/8 rythms to give it tinges of afrobeat. Excellent. Fuck those jihadi's, dance to songhoy blues!

Really cool african rock

#779. Perhaps you'd have to understand what they're talking about to understand how this gets classified as blues, because it seems pretty upbeat and fun from the outside, but it fucks nonetheless. 4/5: great

Another new band I appreciate learning about. I love their sound, and need to find a good translation so I can understand the lyrics. I feel like they have a lot to say about what forced them out of their country.

African jams similar to Fela Kuti. 4/5

A genuinely pleasant discovery: soulful tunes with fun guitars

# Album Name: Music in exhile # Artist: Songhoy Blues # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Not a bad effort! probably the best african album ive had on this list. Its quite an enjoyable listen throughout. But no one song really stood out. A VERY low 4. More like a 3.5 # Top Tunes: No idea # Would I listen to it again? Probably

I'm wondering how the critics at the time thought this album would become a defining influence in popular music, but I'm not complaining. This is still a fantastic album that blends the traditions of its creators with the passionate energy of blues rock. What may come across as the trite, stadium-sized "alt-rock" of acts like X Ambassadors is transformed into a soulful, engaging performance by way of African polyrhythms and vocal stylings. In the second half, the band takes a slower, stripped-down approach and shifts its focus to a more folk-inspired sound. While I do enjoy the first half more, the entire project remains a great listen and neither side of the group overstays its welcome. If you're looking for a project that takes the elements of American music and makes something unique from it, I would highly recommend checking this out. Favorite Tracks: Soubour, Al Hassidi Terei, Petit Metier, Desert Melodie Score: A

It's like a better rockabilly, more fun and full of action. I need more Desert Blues. I need more of this. God bless. Best Tracks: Desert Melodie, Mali, Ai Tchere Bele, Irganda, Jolie

Very very good. Unique, interesting, melodic, soulful and authentic.

This is the kinda stuff I started following this project for. Hell yeah

Quite an interesting blues sound on this album. I probably didn't enjoy it as much as I should have, but I still think it's very good. 3.5/5.0: Very Good

This was a great listen - I was familiar with the first track as it had quite a bit of radio play at the time on BBC 6Music, but for some reason I never explored them further. I'm glad this record cropped up, I've a feeling it's going to send me down a bit of a rabbit hole. Their description on Apple Music as a 'Desert Blues' band doesn't nearly do them justice - this is energetic, spirited, infectious music that needs to be played loud. The Led Zeppelin and Clash covers were good fun too.

Desert blues: slightly new to me, yet very much good. 4.5 bumped down to 4.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’d love to keep there, but I think I’ll bump it down to a 4. This album is a brilliant ball of electric guitar-infused blues rock, with a West Africa lean, brought on by the exile forced upon its band members to ongoing civil occupations caused by Sharia law. Granted, my geopolitical knowledge is rather minimal, so I’m certainly not an expert to speak on how this album came together, but I’m very glad they’ve channeled whatever frustrations that must’ve arisen from the situation into a great album. I don’t really understand any lyrics here, but I’m guessing based on a good chunk of the vocal passion thrown in that there’s certainly some level of political content in the lyrics, even in broad, chanted, rhythmic strokes. The instrumentation is where this album shines, with this album at its very best when it approaches everything with a rock lean at higher tempos. The opening track “Soubour” won me over immediately, and it felt like the album was gonna easily roll all the way to a 5. The thing that’s stopping me from giving this a 5, and sort of stumbling down to a 4, is simply in the luster of the album going away to my ears. It’s a very dazzling album when it starts, and it carries its momentum well through the first 6 tracks or so, but save for “Petit Metier” & “Mali”, I found myself catching a generalized production pattern that slowly pulled the energy away. I think most of the last few tracks boil down to an acoustic guitar melody, a hypnotic chanty vocal style, and a slightly looping bass / percussion track, done in a way that doesn’t feel as distinct & as enrichening as the first 6 tracks came across. If you listen to a track like “Nick” or “Ai Tchere Bele”, there’s a noticeable bounciness to the percussion, coming across in a way that almost feels sort of like an Irish jig – that energy is infectious, and even when it loops a little bit, you don’t feel it because it’s just fun. When this album slows down then, that sameyness feels more amplified, and the later tracks just didn’t hook me as well as a result. They’d probably feel great on their own, but as a flowing album experience, it just didn’t fully hit for me. I do think if I had proper translations of the lyrics in front of me (which I could not find to save my life), it could easily change my perspective of some of the atmosphere / tone of the back half of the album, but given that the first half carries itself so strongly from a musical standpoint, that shift in energy doesn’t come across as well to my ears. Don’t get me wrong: this is a *great* album. The issues I have with it are just down to personal taste; I highly recommend it regardless, and I’m very glad it’s on the list, because I certainly wouldn’t have found it otherwise. I’d love to keep this at a 4.5, but given that I found myself more disengaged for the back half of the album, solely from a musical standpoint, I think I’d be lying to myself if I bumped this up to a 5, hence the 4. A highly recommended 4 though.

Cover 5 I fucking like this band! No idea what they're saying though. Desert Blues for the win. Awesome. Never knew there were blues music outside the U.S.

Very good stuff. Nothing really stands out, but there's some great guitar and vocals on every song.

Very cool. First track is a banger and the rest doesn't hold up quite as well, but this is something I really enjoyed. Would listen to it again, and plan on checking out some more of their music. Actually looked up their tour, I bet they're probably really good live but it doesn't look like they're headed to the States anytime soon.

This was great! 4 stars

This "desert blues" style of Afro-pop was new to me and I really enjoyed this. No need to understand the lyrics, the music communicates everything. Love this kind of introduction to something I wouldn't ordinarily listen to. Gritty, raw, and real

Very cool background to these guys and a very cool record. Felt Kuti/ Talking Heads vibes on some tracks, then you've got the electric blues and the traditional Malian music, makes for an engaging listening experience, really the kind of thing i like to hear on the list

It's always nice when this list veers away from the white anglo-americans males. Although most of the modernish picks I've encountered have not been great, this is pretty enjoyable. 3.5 rounded up Heard before? No Owned: No: 29/111 (23%) Will I get? No

Ziemlich cool

The album is so varied it is hard to pin down. It's the entire career of some rock groups in one work. There is a common thread of call and response in most of the songs, which grounds it, and the technical skill is obvious throughout.

4.50 every song was good will go back

Infectious rhythms

Rating: 7.5/10

Today I learned that sharia law was imposed in northern Mali. The group Songhoy Blues--with three of four men named Touré, no relation--fled and brought us this gem of "desert blues," a fusion of American blues hooks and Malian grooves. I am here for it.

i must admit i do not "get" the blues (cue the line: you were not put on this earth to GET IT mister jack burton!!!), but that's not for lack of trying. in fact, i don't even need to lift a finger: i live with a blues superfan so i hear the blues on a regular basis whether i want to listen to it or not. i have a healthy respect for the genre and its history, but it tends to elicit the same feelings as when i'm listening to some acoustic set, and i happen to be the vice president of the incorrigible acoustic set hater club. but where i will totally write off paired down, sonically boring yet self-indulgent slop, i will otherwise nod and concede defeat to the blues: i don't quite understand, but maybe someday i will. well, today happened to be the day: music in exile brought out sounds and textures that absolutely resonated with me, and i'm glad i've finally been able to listen to something "bluesy" and not feel the need to grimace and hide my pain. i don't even know if i could articulate what it was about this album that made me like it more than others: because, it like, actually sounded good???? i dunno man... regardless: this was a real treat of an album. those first two songs were real barn burners if i'd ever heard em, though the rest of the album didn't quite reach the same high for me. but this is the kind of stuff i wanted to listen to starting 1001, so im a happy camper. great stuff!!! highlights - soubour, irganda, sekou oumaru, petit metier, jolie, mali

So incredibly good. Had never heard of them. Absolutely loved it.

Very unique and compelling, if slightly repetitive. 4.

very bouncy rhythm, you dont hear stuff like this much in America. something new for me, I enjoyed it

The reason I started this list was to find gems like this.

Upbeat funk with hints of country, rock and blues. Feels like a western movie got transported into Africa.

Really good music with interesting vocals. 4 stars or B.

Very enjoyable! American style blues slips into that boogie reminiscent to Fela Kuti.

A blues based album I liked! If I may re-use my review of The Clash: "I have no idea what these blokes are saying, but I like their style!"

Fab album and a nice change. Not my very favourite thing, and defo in the 'somewhere between 3 and 4 lands', but I think over halfway.

a lot better than i was expecting

Well, as many others have said, this is exactly what this list is about. An album I would have never otherwise found and very enjoyable. I wonder if these things are more valued when they take on a Western slant, as opposed to to representing a particular culture completely (as with some other low rating albums on the list). Really great musicianship and structure. Very talented and really well arranged too. A nice mix of the traditional Mali vocals and parts, alongside the traditional blues. Very glad to have been able to hear this and love its quality and originality.

Unique story to this one, and a real cool album. Great sounding and very listenable. Fun instrumentals and rhythms.

4.0 One of the 'redacted' (removed from future versions) albums - this is unfortunate as "world music" is underrepresented on this list and one of the reasons I've embraced this challenge. Surprisingly good. Not speaking Songhai I have no idea what the lyrics are but I assume they are strongly political. Many songs (including a titled song) include Mali. I believe they are technically Tadaksahak speakers which is a dialect of Songhai but their beats and hooks come through beautifully. I found myself singing in Tadaksahak.

Like the background music in every movie that shows a safari or nature view in Africa.

very very fun

The type of band i would never had discovered except by here! What a blues treasure.

Delightful world, music, well crafted, and produced

Day 65 Another brilliant album I would never have listened to without this website. 9/10 Highlights Soubour Irganda Petit Metier

Really cool . Saved to my list

10/16/25. Absolutely love this sound and what I believe the cool use of cross-rhythms in a number of the songs. Each song wants to make me move!

A good one 👍

Loved this except for track one. What in the Toyota Hilux commercial was that?

Let’s get this corrected right off the bat: this is not “World Music.” Songhoy Blues are a blues rock band in the style of like a Stevie Ray Vaughn, it’s just the lyrics are in their native Malian tongue. I really really enjoyed this one. They are all about the art of the electric guitar, and man can they play the hell out it. Really difficult to not move my body to the grooves while here at my desk. I will definitely be looking out for these guys to tour in the future, as I feel listening to this in a club would be fantastic. Read up on their story, too, as they have persevered through a ton of hardship to get their music out to the world to try to uplift their war-torn community. Just two meh songs toward the end of the record keep it from the almighty 5, but this is a very strong 4/5. Give em a listen!

I listened to this one before. The cover might trick you. This is some blues based rock from Mali and it is really interesting because it mixes the blues with some African beats and instruments.

Very cool stuff here. Takes blues conventions and african conventions - real repetitive loopy guitar, mordents, chants etc and mushes them together for something not new exactly, but nice.

It's unsurprising how natural African rock music feels, considering that Western rock was born out of African traditions. This album is pretty great, and there's a really fascinating story behind it. Favorite track: "Sekou Oumarou"

very nice rhythms and very enjoyable melodies.

This album is just easy to listen to. And after a listen, I read the story of the group and how the album name fits in. I'm glad we have the chance to hear this group.

I guess their exile, my gain.

I knew I was going to enjoy this album in the first 18 seconds. Greats suggestion.

Greta album.

A very enjoyable listen. It's a great fusion of sounds which is welcoming yet fresh to my ears. Will be returning to this at some point.

Different but good

I don't know much about African music, but these dudes rock.

Hmm. The blues, born of African music, returns to Africa. Fascinating. I genuinely have never heard anything quite like this. I was thinking three at first, but four is calling.

this Desert Blues is good stuff!

3.5/5 - I listened to this 2, almost 3 times through, and enjoyed the "desert blues" quite a bit -- good guitar sounds. I'd probably put the lead track on a mixtape. I don't think I'd explore more in this sub-genre, but this was worth a few listens for sure. Rounding up because it's not from the 70s or British.

Favorite Track: Nick

Je

Really dig their sound.

Good funky stuff. Complex rhythms but still sounding loose and flowing. Well worth the listen

From the opening chords of ¨Soubour¨ you know you’re going to be in for a treat. Without even knowing the background of the musicians, the ¨Sahel/Sahara¨ rock pulls you in and smothers you with a warm blanket. I can’t say I’ve ever wanted to go to the Sahel but damn if they don’t produce amazing musicians. Mali is a mysterious, vaguely dangerous sounding place, well off the beaten track for all but the hardiest travelers. Still, if Songhoy Blues is from there it can’t be all bad. The ¨desert blues¨ genre is a bit broad and vague but the two things that unite the musicians across the region are incredible guitar lines and rhythms that make it impossible to sit still. ¨Irganda¨ is a bit more tribal, with some call-and-response vocals and a beat that won’t let you go. What did this music sound like before they added electric guitars? I’m not sure, but it’s a natural fit and the world is better for this. ¨Sekou Oumarou¨ is slow, catchy, perfect for a smoke session in the shed behind your parent’s house. Bob Marley who? ¨Desert Melodie¨ sounds like something you’d be listening to in a tent in the desert at night- it’s one of the most relaxing things I can imagine. What I love about this record and records like it is how you can put on something good, regardless of genre or language and still relate to and vibe with it. I don’t know what me and the Songhoy Blues guys have in common, but hearing something they’ve put out into the world (with love) reminds me that we’re all human. Best songs: ¨Soubour,¨¨Sekou Oumarou,¨ ¨Desert Melodie¨

vibey. Felt very alt at times

Wonderful discovery

I was delightfully surprised by this one. The guitar sounds like Jimmy Paige meets Chuck Berry. Really high quality production. Definitely will get a respin and a dive into more of their discography. 3.7 outta 5

This is the kind of thing that I was hoping to be exposed to while doing this project; instead, it's been mostly 70's folk rock. I cannot understand any of the words, but I can feel the emotion behind them. More of this please, algorithm; less Radiohead and less Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young. 4 stars.

Good, interesting music

This album has such a vibe. I especially loved Irganda

Entirely new listening experience for me. I'd never heard any desert blues or even anything from Mali, so I went in completely blind and was pleasantly surprised. Soubour added to Liked Songs.

Very good

Cool album Standout songs: Soubour Irganda Nick

Музыка: 7/10 Разнообразие: 8/10 Тематика и вайб: 8/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 7/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 7/10 Итог: 7.4

I had ZERO idea of what to expect when I got given this album, but what I found was an incredibly groovy and infectious blues album. I don't know if "desert blues" is an official genre, I just know I'm now a fan and need to find more of it.

Perfect tunes for moving to another place.

Pretty great. I don't understand why people rate music a one just because the lyrics aren't in English

yes!

4.2

Bluesy rock. Ferocious and beautiful at times

They should call these guys the white keys

You know what? for not knowing what they're singing about, I dig their sound.

Something novel, wonderful bassy crunchy vibes throughout , and a breath of fresh air.

I wasn't expecting this, but it was very interesting. Definitely something new and unique, so I appreciate that. I was pleasantly surprised. I liked it.

Great sound from an international group and a pleasant listen

Really good blues rock music

Songhoy Blues has an incredible story behind its formation and quite frankly, it’s probably the main reason it's on the 1,001, list. Songhoy Blues is made up of a group of people from Timbuktu, Mali. They were forced out of their home during civil unrest, where the people in charge imposed Sharia Law. Under Sharia Law, music is banned. So these musicians moved to another part of Africa and formed Songhoy Blues. The name comes from the fact that three of the members of the band were part of the Songhoy people in Africa. Their style of music has been described as desert blues. I don’t know about all that, but Songhoy Blues are definitely a blues band. They were inspired by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and John Lee Hooker, according to the band. You can hear it all in their songs. They sing in French and these guys can wail. Songhoy Blues doesn’t play the regular style of American blues we’re used to hearing, But you know it's in there. They’ve added more African rhythms to their songs, making yheir music something new altogether. Well, new to Americans, moat likely. I’d heard of the band before getting into the 1,001 challenge I’m doing here. I’m not sure if I ever listened to them, but I have heard Bombino, who became really popular around the same time as Songhoy Blues. Bombino and Songhoy Blues play a similar style of music. Also, there is some really cool psychedelic African blues from back in the 1970s that will blow your mind. So Songhoy Blues isn’t that new for African rock, but they really brought it to the world stage in 2015. Songhoy Blues is definitely worth checking out. They have a unique way of playing the blues. It’s fun to hear how Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles go into their ears and come out Songhoy Blues. I’m not sure if this album will be a part of my regular playlist, but I’ll definitely come back to it occasionally to kind of refire my synapses.

This was so cool. Something I never would have found if it wasn't for this project.

Wow, I really enjoyed this. This is what I like about this list, there is no way I would have ever heard these guys otherwise.

I enjoyed this. Fun and upbeat. The guitar work was very good. Malian blues.

An enjoyable album I probably never would have found if not for this.

So refreshing to my ears, like a new fruit I've never tasted, on a warm summer day.

Very good style of music, the guitars are amazing and it truly feels like something different and in the style of their country. I really liked it

i love music from mali... its just a fact about me

I'm old enough to remember when the promise of globalization was that we'd get more art like this - an omnivorous blend of African rhythms and harmonies with (African-)American blues guitar workouts, all conveying the pathos of four guys who just want the sharia cops to leave them the fuck alone so they can rock. The energy here is always palpable, even on the slower stuff - "Petit Metier" is quiet but always insistent. Alternate band name: The Actually Black Keys.

The fusion of African rhythm and vocals with upbeat, bluesy rock is a fantastic combination. As the Tuareg guitarist Bombino has demonstrated, the melodies and scales commonly found in African music translate very well to the electric guitar and more modern styles of playing.

die Art vo Musig gfallt mier sehr, aber glichzitig gits anderi Künstler:inne wos no chli besser mached

Really good. Can't understand the lyrics, but it sounds great regardless. Southern sounding guitar, twangy with an afro twist.

Very cool and different take on blues.

Groovy guitar blues and funk, really enjoyed

This one was a good listen. It is some serious blues riffing, but it is downplayed somewhat by the language barrier. I would like to have a translation of the lyrics. I will listen to this one again.

przesłuchać do konica rano

Fun stuff. Really grooving.

I liked this. Fun blues-rock with an unmistakable African spin. I'd listen again.

4+, immediately digestible, though still quite novel for me

4 out of 5. This is why I signed up for this service! So happy to listen to new music not from the USA. Great blues and head-bopping beats. The first two tracks are ending up on my Favorites List.

I really enjoyed this one.

Really enchanting

Bluesy rock with a Malian twist, makes a lovely combination It's nothing overcomplicated or massively groundbreaking, just a pleasant and catchy one

I wrote damn notes! And my damn notes are gone! It doesn't save! I need to like refresh the damn page or something. I enjoyed this album, I had more to say, it reminded me of the kind of world music my dad loves.

++: Soubour, Irganda, Al Hassidi Terei, Sekou Oumarou, Wayei, Jolie, Desert Melodie, Mali +: Nick, Ai Tchere Bele, Petit Metier 8,5/10

Really enjoyed this. Wasn't expecting something quite as guitar driven but it was a nice surprise.

First time listening to desert blues. Could understand the lyrics but the music was really fun and enjoyable. Soubour is my favorite in this album.

Unexpected delight.

This slaps. Super listenable rocking band that pulls just enough of their heritage into an overplayed genre to breathe some new life into it. Not perfect but great work.

Me gustó este álbum en tanto que tiene una gran energía en su música. Además me parece interesante como suena, parece una combinación entre rock, blues y afrobeat. No conozco particularmente el estilo desert rock, por lo que fue una experiencia nueva. Me sorprendió que este álbum estuviese en la lista, ya que no es anglosajón. Ojala hubiesen más propuestas así. Incluso se le suma el contenido político a la música, que le aporta mucho más riqueza a la historia y la intención con que se grabó este álbum. Por momentos me resultó un poco monótono, pero cuando estaba por sentirme cansado del álbum empezaron a sonar algunos temas tranquilos, con otro tempo y energía que rompieron con la monotonía (ya que una cosa es que los temas sean repetitivos por una cuestión estilística, y otra que el álbum sea monótono por falta de criterio). No creo que sea un álbum favorito para mí, pero sí lo considero un buen álbum que incluye significancia histórica y que aporta diversidad a esta lista.

This is why I like this project. Never heard of this one before, and it absolutely rocks!

Well that was an unexpected like!

Musique de qualité et entraînante (pas mal pour mettre de bonne humeur). La partie instrumentale avec les guitares aux rythmes répétitifs et lancinants rappelle les états proches de la transe que la musique et la danse peuvent provoquer. Ça m'a aussi replongée dans les souvenirs d'une époque où je fréquentais pas mal de personnes qui écoutaient beaucoup de musique du continent africain. Une belle découverte même si pour être honnête, je n'écouterai probablement pas souvent.

Powerful story to this record with the band being displaced and trying to recreate the sound of northern mali to give some piece of home to other people with the same destiny. Really like their desert blues style. Reminds me of arc de soleil and even khruangbin from time to time. The vocals are a little repetitive but love the riffs and bass lines. Songs that stand out to me are Sourbour, Sekou Oumarou, Petit Metier and Jolie. Glad i got to discover this!

I’m usually not a huge fan of electric blues but the language difference brings more intrigue and when it breaks down into acoustic blues the songs a great and the groves are unique even if repetitive

Not my type de música pero igual está cool

I do like this album and it’s FUNKY as hell which I very much appreciate. It’s such a cool twist on music, the first song reminded me of Sinners especially the scene where Preacher Boy is singing and black people of all cultures and ages start dancing along to the song. This album is just pretty awesome. Would I listen to this on my drive to work? No probably not but I can say I appreciate it and I’m glad I broadened my horizons 😄😄

This rips. Cutting through any kind of language barrier. Fun, bouncy instrumentals. Repetitive vocal lines but feels super intentional. Dig.

An absolutely delightful surprise. An updated take on Ali Farka Toure's desert blues; will be listening to the rest of their stuff now. Also, second album in a row without a Wikipedia page.

4/5

Best country music I've heard in a while

Amazing album with a sad story. The music is really good and I thank the algorithm for giving me this. A very high 4 stars and if I find myself returning to the album, I will come back to give it 5*. 4/5

I never knew this kind of music existed! Loved it!

Beginning of the album was pretty good. The rest of the album was OK kind of slow, not as groovy as the beginning.

One of the coolest titles for an album based on context I’ve ever seen, basically a middle finger to the jihadist group that caused their exile and ban of music in the region. Musically it is also holds up to the cool standard, because it’s really good basically, incredibly catchy, instrumentals were actually insane sometimes, especially percussion and obviously guitar as it is technically blues music. Only thing I can’t really comment on is lyrics as I don’t understand Songhai unfortunately but that doesn’t matter at all really because the musics so good and the vocals just act as another instrument really. Favourites: all but maybe the last two. Overall, 8/10.

This was pretty great. A wild ride of styles and mashing of guitar rock with Kuti- style (but not) rhythms and tones.

This was a huge surprise. The generator previously gave me Djam Leelii by Senegalese artists Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, and I struggled with the repetitive licks, finding it pretty annoying by the end. But Songhoy Blues doing similar short repetitive musical phrases I didn't mind it at all. In fact, I was really tapping my foot. It felt like something that was traditional from Mali but very modern at the same time. I had a good 10 minutes trying to find a lyric translation for the full album, sadly coming up empty-handed. I wish I knew what the songs specifically meant, rather than just knowing the general theme. The general theme is heartbreakingly sad though; fleeing your country because the people ruling it believe playing music is a sin. I really, really enjoyed this album, more so than I ever could have expected (though I would say the first half is stronger than the second, particularly the first two tracks). I want a half star again, but in it's absence: 4/5

pretty good album

Certified soulful gem! This one left a mark. 🐦‍🔥🔥

I was surprised not to have come across this earlier. Better late than never.

I first got exposed to a lot of African modern music through a series called Éthiopiques. While this band isn't from Ethiopia (they're from Mali), I was happy to hear familiar sounds. I really enjoyed this one, lots of impressive guitar hooks and tones.

Love the blues/country mixed with their native language and sound! So unique!

decent introduction to some music I wouldn't have otherwise sought out/listened to, got a lesson on desert blues style and wouldn't mind exploring more!

I appreciate the exposure to new bands I probably would have never found. I really dug this album. Will be looking into their later work.

A beautiful blend of musical style, Songhoy Blues showcases the artists mastery of guitar that melds perfectly with the drums and vocal melodies.

Eclectic as shit

This was great! Groovy, joyful, varied!

Not my favorite of the desert blues genre, but an enjoyable listen nonetheless.

Never heard of these guys, but I was very surprised. Nice songs, great melodies, easy to listen to. I just wish I understood the words. I did add them to my favorites.

It's hard to rate an album that's not in your native tongue, but this album was fun to listen to overall. It was thematically sound, and the story behind the album, which I looked up, definitely adds a layer to a seemingly upbeat and electric album. If I were at a bar and the first track came on, there's no doubt I could get up and dance with my partner to this. Play this in a Blues bar and the entire place is going crazy. If I knew the lyrics, there's a chance this album could score much higher. It's catchy even though I don't know the lyrics, and upon my second listen was fully humming to a couple parts. I wouldn't be upset if I heard these sounds again, in fact, I hope I do. Given what I do know, it's cohesive, distinctive, likely has a hit or two, and is certainly high quality. For those reasons I will give it 3.5/5 stars.

I really enjoyed the vibe of this album. There was some great guitar playing, unusual rhythms and melodies.

This was a nice break from all the US/UK dominate music that is this list, particularly all the bland folk rock. THis was a funky blend of blues guitar with West African rhythms. I obviously had no idea what they were saying, but the vocal were strong and enjoyable. This was only my 2nd non english album through 105, I hope that the ratio is better weighted to international music as this list progress, there is so much great Spanish, French, West African, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese music that I am aware of and I would hope this list would enlighten me beyond that. This was a solid album that I am glad I heard and that will help guide me to more similar music. 7.4/10 105/1001

very catchy but songs can sound the same. blue rock smashes so hard 8/10

ya its good it's like that other guy from the sahara. nice interesting rhythm with that like "jumping up" feel. guitar work nice, cool sound.

tROPICAL PRESsure ahh. Always though that musicians from Africa (and many places elsewhere from the 'West' think of melodies and phrasings and stuff which typical Western musicians can't or wouldn't. I think that's most evident in the vocal melodies in this, which feel so unique to Africa, maybe more specifically Eastern or North Eastern, from my (sadly) limited knowledge of African music. I wish I could understand the lyrics, as they seem to have some sort of theme or message, given the context of the album. Favourite songs: pretty much all. Overall around 8/10

This was great!

Don't have to know anything they're saying to know I enjoyed this.

This was so unexpectedly good, I was singing along with them by the end.

This was different but familiar. No idea what they were talking about but it was catchy. I liked it a lot

Had never heard of these fellas. So fun!

Beautiful music. Love this stuff.

Favorite: All of them? Total vibe, really really dug this.

This group's sound reminds me a little of Ali Farka Toure. I really like this album.

The band has an interesting background story, I like songs 1, 8, 2, and 3.

This is a breath of fresh air in a very predominantly white-european list. I enjoyed it but couldn't shake the feeling that it was here as a diversity token. Credit where it's due, I'll most likely listen to it again

Weirdly fun even though you don't understand anything

Touré de force

That is some fine guitar playing and beautiful vocals. I'll definitely listen again.

Glad I got Ali Farka Touré a few days ago to be able to put this one in context. Really good stuff and a good lesson in world history too.

This is why I joined this. An album and artist that I've never heard of...and it's going to be on heavy rotation on my headphones for a while. In the mix, there's african themes (obvs) and proper Deep South blues. Great stuff

Rv/g

Disaster

Like listening to the Black Keys in French. Would definitely listen to more by them.

i am so glad this website gives me the chance to hear albums i wouldve never found or thought of listening to. this has some of the most beautiful guitar work and the overall vibe is simply great

What a fun album! Its albums like this that make me love this project. I'd never have heard this otherwise Very enjoyable 4 ⭐️

This is really cool. Great production and love the overall sound. The only thing I can really say against it is that it's musically very similar across tracks. Still a bop though, and quite hypnotic at times. Favourite tracks: Soubour, Irgana, Al Hassidi Terei, Wayei, Kashmir.

Songhoy Blues—who? Never heard of it. Blues from Timbuktu? OK...I'm ready. And then something like this. That's awesome...blues with lots of African influences, or vice versa. It grooves like crazy. This album alone was worth the site and the time it took. Of course, this is nothing new...combining traditional Western music with African roots. But they performit with an energy that automatically transfers to the listener. Brilliant.

Really enjoyed this

I liked the sound and harmony though I couldn’t understand them.

Really nice. Couldn’t understand a word but didn’t have to. Great sound, great backing vocals, really well done. Liked the variety too. This is what I was hoping this list would do more of.

Reigniting the fuse of blues rock, Songhoy Blues demonstrates precisely what's wrong with the label 'world music.' W/ 'world' meaning native to any locale other than the Western colonial powers, the rest of the world, even if they have little to do w/ each other, gets lumped together, while the West remains out in front. So, tho it's true that Songhoy Blues' features guitar work that resembles John Lee Hooker and Lead Belly - Garba Toure, a member of the band, fessed up, 'Besides, we love electric guitars too much' - Music in Exile isn't merely a blues rock record that happens to come out of Timbuktu. It's Malian too, it's music in exile but home music as well. Special tracks: 'Al Hassidi Terei,' 'Wayei,' 'Petit Merier,' 'Mali.'

Exactly why I started this project! Never heard this album and probably never would have. Enjoyed it immensely without understanding lyrics. Great energy and instrumentation. Will revisit a lot

This reminds me of the ZamRock era in the 70's. Zambia had some really great rock coming out of it during that time. Bands I now listen to, enjoy, and tell my friends to listen to. This album feels like the successor to the ZamRock title. These dude are good. Musically it's great. I can't speak lyrically because I don't know the language but it feels good to listen to regardless. I need to look up more of their stuff this is a damn good album. Ok this whole album is getting added to my library. I've listened to it twice in a row. It is a really great album, especially since I don't know what they are singing about. These guys are great musicians. Made me a fan.

This is cool, really nice guitar playing and vocals. Surprised it doesn't even have its own wiki entry, it's a good album

Very good album. The first few songs are excellent. I will definitely listen to this more.

This was totally new to me, and I loved it. These gents shred on the guitars.

Incredible. Electric blues with an African touch. Usually, this kind of "folk" music tends to be done with native instruments, I really enjoyed hearing blues done with modern instruments played in a Malian style. Good stuff.

This was a solid blues album! I’d never heard of this album or band before but I dug their rock and blues sound. I don’t listen to many foreign albums but I’d definitely pick this one up again and recommend it to others!

4/5. It's a mix of blues jam bands and afrobeat, which both kind of exist in similar circles anyway. It is relaxing and still hype, the vocals kind of giving more of an instrument in and of itself, since I am not able to understand the lyrics. It's repetitive but in a good way, like a jam band. There is a more recent band called Mdou Moctar that has a similar sound, most likely inspired by Songhoy. It's a vibe for sure, and I would definitely relisten to it. Best Song: Soubour, Al Hassidi Terei, Wayei

Imagine if the Black Keys were from Africa, and better.

Buen sonido. Me gustaron mas las canciones tradicionales.

Cool eclectic stuff.

top songs: wayei, soubour, al hassidi terei, jolie, nick, sekou oumarou did not expect this to be so gooddd

Donc le "desert blues", c'est aussi cool qu'on l'imagine en fait.

Thoughts before listening: No idea on this one, but from the title I'm going to guess African blues. Review: I dig this. The African desert blues is a genre that I have not paid a ton of attention to, but its very enjoyable. I especially like the inventive guitar work on this album with quickly picked licks throughout every song. 4-stars

I am not a cool guy, but listening to this album makes me feel like I am

This is the kind of discovery I like! It's blues-rock, but definitely in a way I haven't heard it before. If you can get past the language barrier, it's great!

Didnt know this one. Great listen!

Really enjoyed this ,amazing grooves and guitar work. The fact I couldn't understand anything they were saying whilst still enjoying the music speaks volumes!

I love any form of desert music, so am bloody looking forwards to discovering this band and album - especially given their backstory of displacement through civil war. ---- Very cool album, dropping into bassy rhythms and big grooves as easily as it breaks out into a powerful stomp. Always danceable. Spaces out nicely in the second half, great pacing. Favourite tracks: Sekou Oumaru, Al Tchere Bele, Wayei

Africans influenced by Americans who are influenced by African Americans. Weird cycle but works

Penúltima semana de mayo con esta banda, de la que había grandes chances que no conociese. De entrada, a los oídos es extraño. Es escuchar blues en una idioma totalmente ajeno a las lenguas latinas o romances, con una sonoridad más hipnótica. Me recuerda en mi país a Los Espíritus y a su época de oro, que ojalá regrese. Grata sorpresa. Hasta mañana, gente

So unusual, love it

I was a bit skeptical because it's so recent but I like a bit of Desert Blues and this is an excellent listen, even without understanding the words. I can only hope they're suitably excoriating.

This was excellent. African blues, great sound

This was cool. Fresh sounding, I’d be interested to hear more.

Honestly a good time, even though it isn’t my typical genre.

I was not ready for that guitar! Reading up about them they cite the Beatles, and other early rock bands for why they use electric guitar, though unmentioned I also hear a lot of Led Zeppelin in there as well. Funky, toe tapping all the way through, My only regret is that it's in a language I don't speak.

This album is incredible and so unique. The story behind the album, amazing. The instrumentation, brilliant. And blues in 2015? Heck yeah! They definitely captured the spirit from those before like Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan... It's a foot tapper for sure, and just for kicks, they wrote "Al Hassidi Terei" in 11/16? You don't hear that everyday, and it was awesome! I gotta checkout their other stuff sometime.

Very cool sounds

I really enjoyed this. The layers of vocals beautifully complimented the guitars and the songs typically had space to breathe and develop. Very catchy and would listen to again.

Better than Coldplay

At first I wasn’t sure. Liked the first song very bluesy. But relistened and then listened again. Found myself downloading album and listening to more of their stuff. . Love petit menier and mali. Have no idea what they are saying but maybe pleading or heartbreak in the mali song Blues folk. World

Great background vibes

I liked this a lot. Then I reads about them and liked it even more. Guitar was killer. I have no idea what they said, but I don’t know what any lyrics say. Definitely going to check out more.

Cool sound

It kept looping and I kept not turning it off

Good bops. 4/5

Endlich mal wieder eine echte Überraschung in der Liste. Klasse.

muito bom

esse eh fortíssimo. o documentário que eles tão tbm parece super interessante no mais, música como forma de resistência é pica em qualquer lugar do mundo! chique demais!

Extraordinary.

really a 3.8 but going with a 4. it's really nice and introduced me to something new to appreciate

Listens: 5 Standout Tracks: Irganda, Wayei, Petit Metier Added To Library: TRUE So far, I can't understand anything they're saying (and I don't imagine that's going to change much), and YTM isn't showing any lyrics, but the beats can't be denied! They're hoppin'. Major "Irish jig" qualities to the music. Some of the songs remind me of the Dropkick Murphys. Wow, the album is excellent. 4

Anytime an album explores how another culture blends their traditional sound with a modern western genre I’m all for it. It always fuckin rules

Different, non-English language. Kinda catch though.

Pretty damn interesting, never heard this kind of stuff before

Unexpected. A vibe.