Reviews (page 6 of 12)
I love it. So different from what I usually listen to, but so much energy.
I think it's the first album from Mali I've ever listened to (and it's the second African album from this list even if I'm nearing 500 albums in this challenge). It is very nice world music that I enjoyed listening to. The reason I started this challenge to get to know more genres and albums like this album and this was a good one to discover.
This was a fun listen! I couldn't understand any of the lyrics, but they were almost another instrument mixed into it all.
Very pleasantly surprised. This here the desert blues.
Hoi hoi, nog meer etnische muziek uit Mali. Maar ook dit vind ik best lollig en het heeft genoeg tempo en afwisseling. Prima plaat om een paar keer te luisteren en dan weer een heel ander genre op te zetten.
Leuk dat er af en toe uit een ander vaatje wordt getapt. We krijgen ineens een aantal keer muziek die de evenaar moest passeren om mij te bereiken. Eerlijk is eerlijk. De wereld stopt niet bij Engeland en Amerika. Maar...Ik moet wel echt even wennen aan die Afrikaanse trillende zang. Het is gelukkig niet zo doorgeslagen als wij wel eens uit de hier voorbijkomende auto's horen. Wie weet is dit een mooi opstapje naar muzikale verbreding, want uiteindelijk wen ik er toch wel aan. En als die brug is geslagen, kan ik de muziek best waarderen. Zelf opzetten is wel (nog) een brug te ver. Maar ik wijt dat maar aan de culturele afstand, dus wil dat niet in de sterren tot uiting brengen.
Waren we vorige week al in Mali, deze keer keren we terug. Dit keer zonder Ry Cooder. Het klinkt als een soort country en bluesy Manu Chao. Ze lopen lekker op de gitaar te pielen in ieder geval. Het is wel even wennen aan de manier van zingen, die we dus ook al terug hoorden bij die andere Toure. Alsof het niet past, maar dat is waarschijnlijk gewoon omdat we gewend zijn aan een of andere knauwerige Amerikaan. En als je er eenmaal een beetje aan went, dan klinkt het gewoon best wel lekker. Ik kan dit plaatje best nog een keer opzetten.
I dont speak the language but I wish I did. It was a bop, started off strong and ended peacefully. Weak 4 but it got there. Favorite song: Sekou Oumarou, Petit Metier really close 2nd.
Loved it…just wish I knew what they’re singing about
Really liked - chill vibe with some good rock sections.
How have I never heard of these guys before? This is fantastic.
Enjoyed this one from start to finish. On top of the music itself their formation and history is worth reading up on too.
Great album, real nice blend of afrobeat and rock
Great mix of sounds. It’s amazing how well the blues is played in their unique style. 4/5 Will listen again
It’s good but not my thing
So yeah, turns out I'm into desert blues. After some exposure to somewhat similar artists like Bombino or Ali Farka Touré and his son Vieux, how pleasant that this new group of Tourés has entered my life. The first song had much more verve than I expected, sounding more like rock than many world music artists I've been exposed to. This group's guitarist can sure play. While I can't understand the words they sing, they send a message through their playing. And the message is that these guys are badasses. Fantastic music, groovy and brimming with emotion.
its groovy and i was liking it a lot at the start but uh every song sounds identical i got kinda sick of it half way in so it went from an 8/10 to a low 7/10
This is exactly the kind of thing this project is for for me. I would never even have heard of this band let alone listened to the album if it wasn't for the project, and whilst it isn't the best I've listened to it was really enjoyable bluesy rock. A perfectly good way to pass 40 minutes, but maybe not one I'll rush back to.
Honestly es slapped scho sehr. Finds cool hemmer mal wieder es album ufere andere sprach wie englisch !
he s isch huere schö produziert und de erst song slappt schomol. anschinend het de damon albarn sini finger do im spiel. lol sie sind am paléo 2022 gsi ich hans eventuell gseh. irganda au sehr upbeat und huere geil. ich verstoh nüt aber vibe stimmt. al hassidi terei meega geile groove. nick easy, aber s verwäscht sich alles chli. wayei sehr en nice klangteppich. d songs hend irgendwie nie strophe und refrain oder so, s goht afoch wiiter. findi no cool. petit metier erste akustische. er singt mengmol französisch. aaaah und jetz band mit lisligem schlagzüg. ich ha gern lislige schlagzüg. irgendwie chuntmer de bekannt vor? ich glaub ich ha die echt gseh am paléo. mali irgendwie sad well sie sind in mali vertriebe worde vom norde.
GITARRE GAHT HAM das isch voll jonas musig hahahah UNRXPECTED HALFTIME al tchere bele insane rhythmus hanmer halt scho meh so albe erhofft anstatt 95 albe vo de gliche 3 us-amerikanische singer/songwriter (und allgemein weniger westkichi musig aber hey wa wosch mache) mega gueti summermusig grosse fan
Really enjoyed this album, i've always been a bit of a fan of desert blues. Listened while I was working so no obvious standouts, I had heard the 1st track before fo sho.
Stuff I would have never listened to otherwise, but is very interesting and good.
4 - I really enjoy desert blues
This is kinda fire. Wasn't expecting much based off the album cover, but this is the sort of thing I'm very happy to see on the list. Fave Tracks: Soubour, Al Hassidi Terei, Nick 4.6/5
This was a joyful breath of fresh air.
This was a fun listening experience!! Always a pleasure hearing music from around the world!
Kinda fun and upbeat. No clue at all what they're singing about but it is a mix of an Indian vibe with some rock flair to it. 4.5
The boys from Timbuktu can jam, bluesy but the upbeat songs feel like classics from the American blues era but with more exciting percussion and lyrics. Production was a good time and it shows.
One thing about me is I love protest music. I wish I could’ve taken the time really pause and listen but alas the day got away from me. I enjoyed having this on during the 2-4 pm slump
Beats be funkin!! Actually really enjoyed this, was not expecting to, front half of the album goes a bit harder than the second half though. Top songs: Soubour, Irganda, Al Hassidi Terri, Petit Metier
Another album that I didn’t understand a word of the lyrics, but this time I loved it!! Great vocals, fantastic beat and rhythm, joyful music. Just all around great songs.
Good energy
Pretty good, especially for me not knowing the language.
Moi bo disco, tiñame unha pinta horrible pois a música en idiomas que non entendo non me cunde pero foi unha grata sorpresa. Ta' chulo
Songhoy Blues is a band that was inspired by political and civil unrest in their native Mali. After getting noticed by French producer, the recorded a few songs, and were invited to perform in the U.K. While there, they recorded their first album, Music in Exile. Their music is a modern spin on traditional Mali music - a fast-paced, guitar-driven style of African folk music.
funky/psych/groovey rock beats, def. coming back for more
Surprisingly good
A breath of fresh air.
Favourite song - Al hassidi terei
So good! This album was so freshing, especially since it's not English or western. It's also different from other African musicians I've heard. It seemed like an African take on country.
Прикольно. Неожиданно получил удовольствие от прослушивания. Местами впечатление будто слушаешь африканских Tito & Tarantula.
You don’t have to know the language to enjoy the music. But I wish I did so I could have a greater appreciation of it.
super groovy and laid back. every song is good... and I'm obsessed with soubour. hidden gem fs 8/10
Pretty solid. I liked it. Considering the circumstances I think its pretty incredible they made it on this list. -8/10
The beginning of the first song reminded me of the Black Keys album. Overall pretty good, maybe would’ve enjoyed it if I spoke the language or looked up the lyrics. Liked the fast paced songs more. Was surprised to see a song with Iggy Pop on their 2017 album.
some of the words sounded kinda Indian to me, thought it was pretty good but can't see myself listening again 7/10
Pretty cool music. Very down to earth. I love their voices. Really moving story behind the album too. 8.5/10
7/10 - I liked the background quite a bit. Every song was enjoyable but nothing was crazy good.
Damn, this was really good. None of the songs were bad, and there were a few standouts that I really enjoyed. Obviously have never heard of these guys before this list, so I'm glad they made it 8/10
Only really listened to Songbour. Good music.
Nice beats!
Simple, inspired, and sumptuous. A lot of fun through its full runtime.
I just really dig African blues music - these grooves are getting me through night shift work. I need to check out the documentary about this group, "They Will Have to Kill Us First" - badass rebel music always wins.
Cool, mellifluous, love the way they use instruments
Quite a hidden gem this. Good production, good musicianship, I assume good lyrics (language barrier yknow), good vibes. Songhoy Blues, I wasn't familiar with your game.
Thank god that albums like this are also included. Really enjoyable chill listen, great to get to know music like this.
Bluesy rock, with cool African influences
Can't understand a thing they are saying, but it doesn't matter. This album slaps. Right from the get-go a grooving beat with running guitars overtop, had me dancing in my seat. I loved the crazy time signatures in "Al Hassidi Terei". 6/4 (or probably actually a 4/4 and a 2/4 repeated), and then into a 6/8. And then back again. Really cool. With all the layers of crazy polyrhythms across the different instruments, they sound like an African-blues version of Tool. Would be fun to play drums for this band.
Guitar in this one was great.
Really infectious rhythms and solid production.
It honestly surprised me just how good Music in Exile was. The songs were very catchy at the start before getting more somber towards the end and actually sounded really good. The vocals were handled rather well too even if i couldn't understand what they were saying (I don't speak the language spoken in these songs) Some of the songs did sound a little similar to each other but not enough to ruin the album. I didn't know what to expect, but it sure wasn't this. Best Song: Soubour Worst Song: Al Hassidi Terei
Not bad
Rough and tumble
Was unexpected really enjoyed this album
Awwwwwww yeahhhhhh. Like I wrote a few reviews ago, I have a soft spot for guitar centric albums that do interesting things with music from around the world. This is album is very much my jam. This album is interesting and doesn’t veer into bland background music in a coffee shop territory. If you like this album then I recommend you check out Ali Farka Touré.
Oh, nice. This wasn’t remotely on my radar, and I enjoyed it a lot. I couldn’t help compare it to Jorge Ben while listening. I loved the Jorge Ben, and this had a lot of the great things in it that I enjoyed about that. The instrumentation and the guitar tones were so sweet. This didn’t quite meet Jorge Ben standards for me, but I enjoyed it very much and it was nice that this project gave it to me, especially after the last week or so of things I’ve been listening to.
An excellent example of how music can transcend barriers like language by inflecting the feelings of its' performers. I wish there was more specific info on the band and the album specifically, but understand they are in a unique situation. The album showcases the yearning and resentment of the implementation of Sharia Law and being evicted from their homes, but still has a tinge of hope to it. 'Desert Blues' is a good way to frame it, and the music is unique but still familiar
Decent album regardless of where the band members would be from. Anyone that might appreciate blues, rock, etc. should appreciate a listen through.
Really surprising. These guys could be from tennessee
Svo gott, algjört feel good dæmi.
I don’t understand what it’s about but I like 👍 good energy, fun guitar
Really fun album, and not something I normally would have been exposed to. The music is energetic, and hard to place into a specific genre. Some fantastic guitar riffs here, which contrast and compliment really nicely with the background vocals throughout the songs.
1. 4.8 2. 4.3 3. 4 4. 4.2 5. 3.8 6. 3.6 7. 4.5 8. 3.9 9. 4.8 10. 4.8 11. 4.2 12. 4.4
Thoroughly enjoyed this album. The vocals reminded me of Ladysmith Black Mombasa and the music reminded me of Los Lonely Boys. Great album, even without understanding the lyrics.
Musically, reminds me quite a bit of Baaba Maal, in the way that it finds a chord progression and rarely breaks free from it. Love the heavier, bluesier tracks, but feel the album is a little front-loaded. Still, cool record. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Irganda", "Nick"
Quite like it. Bit exotic
Zou echt nooit op mijn pad zijn gekomen zonder deze site.
Really enjoyed this!
Amazing Album.
Blues is on point, language and cultural barrier are no issue
Really loved some of the songs. Album flow was not easy to do background work with. Maybe better cooking. long album-
Interesante escucha, muy groovy y divertide. No esperaba escuchar música maliense en mi vida, gracias albumsgenerator
El blues es divertido!
loved this
Glad I heard it. Interesting and different blend of African beats with electric guitars.
Really cool.
Listened Before? No Out of the gate, Soubour feels like a Dodge commercial, but then the vocals disintegrate that Made in America feel. Not my favorite genre of music, but they translate the sound extremely well and clearly have a talented guitarist and vocalist on hand. Takeaway from Irganda is the same as before; they have a really solid guitarist and they give him a lot of space to explore. Fun little stomp of a song. Some interesting syncopation on Al Hassidi Terei. Tonally this reminds me of some of the work from the Japanese band toe (side note, I recommend everyone check out their album "For Long Tomorrow"). I find it interesting that within the mix the instruments generally feel pretty tight, but the vocals are recorded "loose" to give an almost live, group performance feel. Sekou Oumarou is an immediate standout. Understated with some call and response vocals. Creates a very moody tone that is ripe for exploitation. My focus really dropped off as I started to work, but I definitely enjoyed this album 100x more than I expected from the first minute. This album is at once familiar and fresh, in that the band taps effectively into a familiar blues rock sound while imbuing it with unique cultural elements throughout. Not only are the vocals (obviously) in the native language, the mixing puts them into an interestingly live/group oriented focus that brings the whole thing very close to the ground. In addition, there is specific emphasis on call and response and syncopated percussion that makes for an interesting listen. I regained focus for the closer Mali, which is a really tender and pretty acoustic jam. Also, whoever the guitarist is here deserves more credit; this dude jams. Strong 4 / 5 for me. Added to Library? Yes Songs Added to Playlists: - Irganda (Sunny-vibes) - Sekou Oumarou (Driving) - Mali (Sunny-vibes)
The first half of that album was awesome with the unexpected blues aspects. The guitar work was pretty remarkable. There was a moment there towards the end where I thought I was listening to Khrungbin which was great. Felt like it turned more worldy music towards the end which was an ok way of finishing out the album, but the beginning half was what really did it for me in this album.
This is some really good stuff. I have absolutely no clue what they're saying in any of the songs but the guitar work is incredible. Not sure how much I'll come back to listen to this, but I've been on a renaissance to find "Khruangbinny" bands and this scratches a similar kinda itch.
Different but really good. Didn’t understand a word of it, but really liked it
Good album. I never heard this band, album, or any other Mali music before, and its pretty good. This is a more worthy addition to this list than yet another brit-pop forgettable album, thats for sure. This is the kind of thing that I am here for. 4/5
Love the instrumentals and call and response vocals. A bit repetitive and I wish I knew what the lyrics meant but overall a powerful album made as a work of rebellion and a call for freedom against an oppressive government. +1 star for Songhoy Blues bravery.
Really interesting sound, enjoyed it a good bit. Lyrics not in English so can’t say but instruments were great and their voices sounded good
what the fuck was that?
The music was dynamic and engaging. I understood about three words. I will definitely check out more of their stuff. This is a 3.5, but because they are from Timbuktu (a place I thought was imaginary as a child) they get the extra half.
This was enjoyable. Certainly can't claim to have ever consciously listened to blues from Mali before, so a great addition to the list. I was impressed by the simple yet adept playing and compositions — of course I have no idea what they were singing about, but in the best blues tradition, some of it came through anyway. I'd have posted a 3.5 if that were an option, and am on the fence as to whether to bump up or down, but for the sheer sake of the experience, and considering I could imagine spinning this at different times — while I work, as background music at a mellow get-together — I see that and raise it .5.
Well this is just delightful! It can be hard to make blues exciting again, but taking it back to Africa seems to be just the secret recipe for something incredible.
Yeah, nothing too flashy, but just good Blues. The story behind it is maybe more interesting than the album.
Awesome to hear music inspired by a real life battle for freedom and justice
fun
Great sound! Wish I understood the lyrics.
Tosi hienoa kitaratyöskentelyä. Afrikkalaista rautalanka rokkia. Tulee kanssa tosi vahvoja indie-rock viboja. Hieno ja mielenkiintoinen sekoitus.
Soubour - 9/10 Irganda - 8.5/10 Al Hassidi Terei- 8.5/10 Sekou Oumarou - 7.5/10 Nick - 8/10 Al Tchere Bele - 8/10 Wayei - 7.5/10 Petit Metier - 8.5/10 Jolie - 8.5/10 Desert Melodie - 8/10 Mali - 8/10 TOTAL - 92/110
I wanted to love this but it came up a bit short. Still very good.
Didn't understand a word, but nice voices and great music.
8/10. Really cool, I want to listen to this again.
Pretty decent, if a little slow. 7/10
right in my zone
this album was awesome. naturally i'd never heard of the band or had a clue what they were saying in the lyrics, but this is part of why i love 1001 albums. very cool to see a newer band from africa playing blues rock that is clearly crafted with deep meaning and emotion behind it. favorites: soubour, al hassidi terei, sekou oumarou
I didn't know this band and I really liked it. It's good to know music from other regions. I also recommend listening to reggae bands from Argentina.
Good stuff, I didn't understand a word but the music was very good.
Funky as
Eu nunca ia encontrar esse grupo sozinha e tô muito feliz pelo álbum ter sido gerado pq na primeira música eu já sabia que ia curtir demais!! Nunca me viu como alguém que ouve muito blues mas gostei DEMAIS mesmo assim! Sem contar que a história da banda é bem legal. Fave: Irganda
Pretty cool, and the backstory of this album makes it even cooler.
A breath of fresh air in this list! Really liked this music, the story behind the album is crazy.
A really enjoyable album that is totally out of my usual 'field of view'. An upbeat, bouyant bluesy-indy-progressive album that embraces beautiful guitar melodies from the African diaspora that I have always loved so much. there's a lot in this album and it is a re-listener for sure. I can't imagine any other album in this 1001 list sounding like this so it gains an extra star for its outstanding uniqeuness in a densely packed, western-pop milieu.
This is some fine African blues music. I can't really say too much to the genre other than it sounded exactly like I wanted it to sound. Not sure that is good or bad but you can't really say anything bad about the quality of these songs.
Didn't know what was being said, sounded good though, 4/5
I like this. Lots of driving energy throughout. Some of the guitars in this are greeeeat, both bass and jangly lead guitar. I obviously have no idea what they're singing about, but they clearly have some serious lived experience to draw upon. I'm sure it's quite profound. The more 'world' sounding tracks I didn't enjoy as much.
Awesome fusion of modern Westen rock with the local sound
Songhoy Blues is described by Wikipedia as a “desert blues band from Timbuktu, Mali”. I figured this would be interesting, and I was right.not just interesting, but really good. This is, naturally, not in English, so I don’t know if the lyrics are good or bad. But I REALLY like the music. The closest I can come in mood/tone is Charlie Parr’s Stumpjumper, but that’s just a general similarity. An easy 4, maybe higher if I get more familiar with it. 4/5
Jams.
I enjoyed it, it was an upbeat and soothing style. Though I didn't understand the words I liked the tune of each song.
Modern and sharp, this album isn't playing around, and it starts from the very top; strong bass lines, rhythmic guitar and poignant solos take the blues to the next level; reminds me of the spirit of The Holding Company, only with African sensibilities (maybe a touch of jazz a la Art Blakey). African music can be deeply and effortlessly innovative, and I don't know if another word would more clearly capture the soul of this record; mixing rock, blues, country-western, spirituals, and their own West African sound (forgive me for being overly broad with 'West African') together into some profoundly moving, smooth, refreshing yet nostalgic, and surprisingly poppy. A surprising feature of the album is Damon Albarn's backing vocals. What starts more traditional, in a rock and blues space, becomes more experimental as the album progresses, with funkier rhythms and percussion. Deeper still, the record becomes unapologetically Mali, and speaks to the homeland Songhoy Blues was forced to leave due to escalating violence. I really enjoy their use of repetition, chanting, and call and response to build something complex and sonically layered; this is serous dance music; the atmosphere is of emotional momentum and a great, sad journey towards the unknown- the album isn't sad, necessarily, but their is a deep understanding of sadness, love, celebration, and freedom emanating from the record, and connecting the group to the great blues artists of the US, like B.B. King, Albert King, or Muddy Waters (which makes sense, considering the impact the transatlantic slave trade had on West Africa and the US). Solidly groovy, fundamentally rocking, and makes me want to dance. Ultimately, the album is expansive and cuts to the quick of so much of the human condition- that we are more similar than we are different. Standouts: Soubour, Irganda, Al Hassidi Terei, Wayei, Petit Metier, Desert Melodie, Mali.
Really enjoyed this. New to me. Added it to my album library.
Really great stuff with a style that is similar to a lot of bands from the sahara. Looking into their history at the time of recording this gives more context to enjoy the album despite not having a clue what the lyrics mean
I didn’t understand any of the lyrics but I was moving my head all the time.
I never would have listened to this on my own, but I really enjoyed it - exactly what I started doing this for.
Wow this was really good. Love the unfamiliar time signatures. Some of it I can hear some pieces of traditional blues.. chicken or egg? I added it to my library.
i love this stuff but it does get a little monotonous in heavy doses
That was good fun! I enjoyed that. Lively and vibrant.
Greatafeican heat
Guitar-driven African earworms.
reminds me of the black keys, really dig this
BLUES! LET'S GOOOOOOOOO
Total jam that makes me want to explore more desert blues. No real standouts but I did listen while dog walking and it was a total jam. Will have to come back to this one!
Very good musically and right up my alley. Still sometimes iffy on music in another language. But this was great background music for driving around doing errands today.
Great album. Really enjoyed this one. Modern rock with a African influence. Really interesting listen. Track 2 Irganda is one of the highlights, but the album is really consistent. 4/5
Found this really enjoyable. Loved the desert swing style of rock and the band is clearly both passionate about their beliefs and also passionate about laying down some bitchin riffs. 4/5
These bois just wanted to make blues music but the institutions in power wouldn’t let them. I’m happy they found a way.
Yeah, good Blues! Starting in the middle of album is Mix Blues/African Musica, which I liked .
A very pleasant surprise. Says on the tin: blues music but with energy and rhythm. Suggesting a brevity and joy of life despite the upheavals and uprooting the band had to endure. Would like to see them live.
Admittedly Malian blues funk isn’t usually high on my list of dog walk listening material, but good work lads
Nothing crazy songwriting wise, but definitely a fun listen with some good tunes
Groovy
Liked it but at 3 hours was a bit longer than I could listen to
So… usually with a record that isn’t in English I comment on how hard it is to rank. This one is different. Working on the assumption that the lyrics are acceptable, this is a great record. The fact that it wasn’t a sound I am used made it all the better.
Never heard it before, blues from africa. But it's goooood!
Really nice, especially for something so obscure out of Mali and for being somewhat modern. It's quite the task to be a worthwhile listen since I have found much of the stuff from the 2010s+ to not be very good, especially from abroad. 7/10.
Interesting. This will be one of those rare instances where I make the time for a second listen right away. I like it. Unusual mix of sounds, tempos, singing. My reaction reminds me a little of when I first heard "Buena Vista Social Club" so high praise, I guess.
Mwah! Ökenrock 😎😎 Inte vad jag trodde med tanke på namnet och så. Tinariwen, Tamikrest liknande. Gymma gitarrer, feta rytmer, kul sång. Känns fan som ett soundtrack som spelas när man vandrar genom öknen. Hade man rate:at mer specifikt hade detta lätt kunnat hamna en bit över 4. Favoriter kanske: Irganda, Soubour, Al Tchere Bele
This album really is so good and funky. Not at all what you'd expect going in. Favorite track: Soubour
The language barrier forces a bit of research into this band's significance. American listeners en masse do not really take a look at why a band may exist, or what the bands draw their inspirations. More significant, is that Songhoy Blues still manage to keep the blues a bit bright despite the fact their story's backdrop is the risk of religious/ethnic cleansing in their home country of Mali. Let's talk about the music, the beats have that "African" tempo, some of the singing styles have that tribal chant feel with the repetition one would expect from a cultural event. What is incredible is that Songhoy Blues capture these styles, and wrap it all up in the blues. Truly, a remarkable production bridging their culture to match the sound palate of the West and raising further awareness of some of the political/religious conflicts, an example of where music's power is being used for good.
The first half of this album goes hard. It slaps. The second half fell off a bit, but was still pretty enjoyable.
Never listened to desert blues before, but hearing this album and reading about there story about brining back music to northern Mali is inspiring.
Even without the insane story that comes with this album, this is still a very fun and chilled-out collection of desert blues tracks Also love the Clash and Zeppelin covers on the deluxe Favourite tracks: Soubour, Al Hassidi Terei, Jolie, Desert Melodie
Like the attempt and approach. Lovely guitar playing with rough and ragid backing. Not something I will return to too often but something I enjoyed.
Super groovy album. Would never have heard of it without this list!
Really good, surprised ne
Interesting music.
Another solid album. I enjoyed this album.
Hall Of Fame Shrooms Album.
I wasn't expecting to like this since "world music" is rarely my thing. This however was quite a pleasant surprise. I don't know if it will be something I revisit often but I certainly might.
When the first track got going, a big smile came across my face because I knew I was going to like it. I listened to this album twice, and I really like the first two tracks. This is the type of thing I love about this list. I never would have found this otherwise.
I liked this sound and even though I couldn't understand it I was definitely vibing.
Cool, if a bit repetitive
Surprisingly good album - didn't understand a word of it
I had no idea what they were saying, but I dig this.
Very nice!
Awesome rhythm and feel. Perhaps not the most technically amazing, but it's got such charisma and even some decent stank at times.
I’m into this
Good fun blues from Bamako. While generally the genre is not my favourite, it sounds fresh enough to my ears for me to want it in my rotation, and besides it’s a well balanced, just the right length record.
I’ve found African music often hits hard but wears thin. This album was a solid exemption with enough stylistic variation and emotion to more than offset that I can’t understand the words.
Loved it, makes me wanna get up my chair and move. Already a blues fan so it was very easy to get into this.
Heard about these guys - and the desert blues genre - for the first time a few years ago. Love the style. Love their sound. This is a great debut album.
Vraiment aimé ça. Le son blues/garage/desert rock est vraiment bien exécuté et les compositions sont originales. La production est super bonne. C'est rafraîchissant d'entendre quelque chose de ce genre, ça sonne familier et nouveau à al fois dû aux influences du pays. Quelques pièces m'ont laissé un peu plus sur ma faim mais globalement un très bon album. 8/10
Malian blues, electric style. Excellent.
Lot of weight here, music in the effort of preserving culture while in flight from religious and political upheaval. A lot of pathos in the vocals despite the language barrier.
I really enjoyed this. Never heard it or them before. I listened while I was running and it was great tempo and vibe. I'm sure if I understood the language I'd have a deeper appreciation.
Crazy cool sounds from Mali. Love the rhythms and the guitar work.
This hits from the opening riff. It is not what you are likely to expect from the album cover. It is blues based rock music from dudes from Mali. It has a really funky beat. It is good. It is fun. And, these guys play...
Mdou Moctar adjacent. Love this style of desert blues
Очень красивая музыка!
I really liked it. Classical blues instrumental but with a Mali twist in the vocals.
A few weeks back we had an album by Ali Farka Touré that fused Malian folk with American blues. Cool to hear a more recent band pick up on what he was doing and continue the style. Songhoy Blues have a slightly more modern rock sound. (“Nick” has a crunchy beat and blues riff that reminds me of the Black Keys.) I love how a lot of these songs sound like they’re in forward motion. This would be great driving music because the songs already feel like they’re flying down the highway.
Really good. Desert Blues!
So, who else knew that Malian blues would be their thing? Not me that’s for sure but this is absolutely wicked!
One never knows quite how to feel about music from other cultures, but there's an awful lot to like here. Vocals that engage and haunt, by seeming deep, authentic and committed. The gritty Malian blues seem rooted in another era. One could hear quite a good bit of this.
Interesting blues from another country.
HL: "Soubour", "Irganda", "Nick", "Petit Metier", "Desert Melodie" Dope At first I was worried it would be standard modern blues rock a la Black Keys, but it combines it with the jangly, soulful guitar playing you hear in Ali Farka Touré in a really appealing way- add some danceable rhythms from both African & North American influences, and you have this. April 28, 2023
Pretty cool African folk/blues/rock
"Music in Exile" is the debut album by the West African Mali band Songhoy Blues. The band had to flee their home in northern Mali when radical Islamists (banning alcohol, music, cigarettes) overran the area to the southern cityand capital of Bamako. Following an audition, the band was introduced to producer Marc Antoine Moreau and the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zenner who ended up producing this album. A great description of their music is blending American guitar licks with Malian grooves. Desert blues, blues rock and Afro rock. Yeah, this does not fall in the world music genre. The band is composed of four members, Garba Touré, Aliou Touré, Oumar Touré and Nathanael Dembélé. They are not brothers believe it or not. The album received wide spread critical acclaim. A bluesy rhythm and lead guitar with a stomping beat begin "Soubour." Sung in their native language, I think. The music sounds a lot like Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus." Oh, yeah...they pick up the beat in "Irganda." Less blues, more Afro rhythm and chanting. A good comp is Talikg Heads' "Fear of Music" era. A soft blues guitar background in "Sekou Oumarou." Great lead tenor vocals as well as backing vocals. Now the desert blues description makes perfect sense in "Nick." Just a killer bluesy groove. This song would not be out of place on an early 70's Stones, ZZ Top or John Lee Hooker album. The album ends with the song "Mali." An acoustic guitar strumming. Passionate singing about their home country. This is a very good album especially the first half. A dominant bluesy guitar and tremendous groove at times. Most of these songs would not sound out of place in the 70's and 80's American/British rock/blues scene.
Really liked it, nice sounds
didn't understand a word of it, but it was a hell of a blues groove
What a strong album! Desert Blues is something else! Literally having to leave their homes from a civil war! Unfortunately do not know the language but from what I’ve read has to be very powerful for what they went thru and the music behind it! Great album!
I'm sure this music would have an extra level of impact if I understood the language. Really good grooves
Garba, Aliou and Oumar Toure (no relation despite sharing a surname) left their home near Timbuktu, Mali in 2012, after occupation by a jihadist group named Ansar Dine who were imposing Sharia law over the north of the country. The ban on music (!) forced the three Toures and fellow musician Nathanael Dembele out of their homes to Bamako in South Mali, where they later formed a band. “Music in Exile” was released three years later. I‘m not sure I’ve ever read a more compelling background for any artist. Songhoy Blues play music as a means of resistance, music as an act of joy, and music as an irrepressible way of life. As such, “Music in Exile” crackles and glows with energy. The band recorded it with the guitarist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and grew up on American rock, so there are clear Western influences here (apparently an unfortunate pre-requisite for any “world music” act making it onto the 1001 list). But Songhoy Blues’ brand of music seamlessly incorporates Malian grooves and Afrobeat, giving them the edge over US-based blues groups I’ve heard in the past. If car companies caught wind of “Soubour” they’d surely be tripping over themselves to use it in every TV advert they possibly could. It’s brittle, tough blues rock and a perfect opening. “Sekou Oumarou” is in a similar vein: hypnotic and lean with a touch of menace, no messing around. The Afrobeat-leaning “Irganda” is even better: a propulsive beat, handclaps, chanting vocals, a kitchen sink of percussion, restless skittering rhythm guitar. It’s a delight, and my favourite track here: if anything might push “Music in Exile” to a five star album, it would be more of “Irganda”. The rest is perfectly enjoyable, though, as we’re treated to the driving bluesy shuffle of “Nick”, some excellent rhythmic see-sawing in “Al Hassidi Terei”, and a masterclass in quietly building intensity with “Jolie”. There’s also good stylistic variation: “Wayei” drops the tempo and leads things in a more lilting direction before the first minute of “Petit Metier”- and later the whole of closer “Mali”- drop to just acoustic guitar and vocals. These aren’t as thrilling as some of the other songs, but I appreciate the breathers. “Music in Exile” is fierce, passionate, relentless, vital. The layered vocals are a force of nature, and the guitar tones could take on the world. The language barrier hardly matters here: the backstory and vitality of the music speaks for itself.
nice funky tunes that even though I don't understand the lyrics I can still vibe with the feel and emotions
I didn't expect a blues album from Mali on this list! And especially I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Although I couldn't understand anything they said or sang, I absolutely loved the atmosphere and beats of this album. By reading a little about the context of "Music in Exile", one could actually feel some connection to the boys from Mali. It's a tragic thing, to be forced to flee from your own home, so kudos to them to stick to their guns and record an amazing album, which probably kept up the spirit of many people alike to Songhoy Blues.
A conhecer nova opção de audição do blues do deserto. Não está na lista do tuareg vibes, mas funciona muito bem com as melodias e guitarras.
This is kinda funky. I dig it.
I really enjoyed this one, surprisingly good sound and vocals
Very good
Make me think to Tinariwen, good.
Couldn't understand a lick of what they were saying, but I was certainly bopping the entire time. Downright pleasant time. 4/5
Forgot to listen to most of it, but really enjoyed what I did hear! They're from Mali, by the way, for quick reference.
The best thing to come out of Mali since Jimmy Kebe. A very listenable blend of blues music and African male vocal harmonies from a group of musicians exiled from Timbuktu. Apparently the genre is 'desert blues'. I like it and would listen to more. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Nick Date listened: 06/03/23
This one surprised me. Loved the twangy guitar licks, and although I don't understand a word they're saying, the singing was excellent as well.
I love finding new music and this was great find. Will be going back to this one some more.
This is a perfect example of why I suffer through Bjork and Neneh Cherry albums to be part of this exploration of the 1001 Albums... I would never have chosen to listen to this but for coming up in the random generator. I’m very glad it came up. Even though I didn’t understand a word, I enjoyed every track. The vocals, the rhythms and time signature, musicianship,… everything. I will be returning to this record. And I immediately listened to their subsequent records.
This really surprised me. Enjoyed it the whole way through without understanding a word of it.
First half to 2/3s of the album really caught my attention. Which is hard when I can't understand the lyrics. However the last bit started to drag a little bit. It's a 3.5, but I'll round up to 4 just because I was so surprised by how much I liked the start of it.
I really dig this. Solid blues riffs and interesting melodies. There’s a simplicity to it that was intriguing to me.
very cool. great expansion of my musical tastes
Filled with so much personality. There is a Strokes level of charm that just oozes through the music. The funky basslines and the punchiness of the percussion create such a perfectly woven structure for the album. It’s just so wonderfully arranged. This is an album that’s completely in its element and rejoices in that fact. Truly just put together in such a cohesive way, how lovely!!! Faves: Al Hassidi Terei, Soubour, Ai Tchere Bele, Nick, Petit Metier
I really enjoyed this.
I've never heard of Songhoy Blues or any of the music on Music in Exile. The energy in the opening track "Soubour" hooked my interest. "Al Hassidi Terei" and "Nick" were similar energy tracks with interesting guitar licks and hooky rhythms that reached out beyond the language of the lyrics. I would be interested in hearing more from this band.
https://twitter.com/reactionvideos_/status/1099815546374311938?s=46&t=ClN2DgjeuhkS5Uirs5vxjg
Pretty good album. Definitely listen to again. Nice blues soon, lots of rhythm.
Loved reading about the backstory of this album, super cool. Of course I wish I could understand the lyrics but this was solid.
Loved this
This album was really great!! My favorite track was Nick. Thought the guitar was nice on that one. Happy to have found something new that was so fresh and enjoyable.
A really interesting fusion of rock and African sounds. I don't think I'd seek it out again, but I'm glad I listened to it twice.
4/5 I really liked this album. It's very similar to Ali Farka Touré's sound. It was cool to see that one of them is the son of his drummer. I love the rhythms and how the music sounds. It's really positive and peaceful for me. I like foreign language music cause I can have my own thoughts and daydream about things. Sometimes I look up what it means and think about the general idea of the song when listening to the music. I like learning about the history and area that the music is from. Cause I'm a nerd and pedantic and pretentious. 🤨🤓🧐
Really like the album, especially its instrumentals. Based on the description, I'm curious about the meaning of the lyrics, but I couldn't easily find a translation / explanation. I think having that would've added to the experience a lot. This isn't the type of music I would usually find on my own, I hope to get more albums like this. The songs I liked the most were Soubour, Irganda and Nick. Besides these, I really liked the way Mali felt a lot more subdued than the others.
This is right up my alley. Love the driving guitar and percussion, it exudes joy. 4/5.
Joyful music. Milan music with a western guitar flare. Highly listenable.
Unfortunately rare, but this is essentially what I come here for. Something completely outside my scope that makes me stop and listen. The guitar work is awesome and the rhythms are tight. I don't rely on lyrics to define a song so not understanding the lyrics is not a problem for me. The vocalists become other instruments. It gets to the heart of the song. This introduction to Songhoy Blues is appreciated, I can feel this. But only for the first 7 or 8 songs. I kinda get lost around there. But hey, I'm the foreigner, it's bound to happen. I do really love the sound of this band and will be listening to other work to get a better picture of what's going on here.
Ali Farka Toure vibes, relaxed albumpje uit Mali
uau, Mali blues , amazing roots!
Didn't understand a word those boys were singing, but really enjoyed the tune and listening to their voices.
This was a pleasent surprise. I enjoyed every song of the album, of course Blues is not my go to music so towards the end my attention was kinda drifting away. But the music was great, I can totally see myself going back to this album in the future.
Etno, rocky, but not boring at all
Experts in their craft. Couldn’t find a bad thing to say other than I’m not a fan of blues music.
The opening track on Music In Exile, begins with a blast, tasty guitar sounds of upbeat blues! It settles into a satisfying album of interesting songs and musical stylings I rarely have heard. The only drawback is I wish I understood the lyrics and the meaning of the songs since it isn't sung in English, but it's well sung and doesn't detract too much. I wouldn't have otherwise heard this, if not for this list, thanks! I will listen again.
Parts of this album are totally incendiary
Enjoyed this. First time for me for this group, though I have earlier Tinariwen album which is similar. I don't understand why people complain or downgrade records that aren't in English?! Climb out of your burrow. Isn't music meant to transcend language, and isn't the point of this project to discover new stuff?
I really like this album.
Awesome
Al Hassidi Terei går så hhårt jeez louiizzze gitarren låter som en loopad del av en beefheart track, Petit Metier är också banger, resten fastnade inte på samma sätt men bra
Ja kommer så gott som alltid rocka me någo som int e på engelska
Kova
spotify describes this band as desert blues and that’s a wonderful description. their music is fun to listen to and I like they’re instrumentation and production style a lot.
I just finished teaching a unit on the history of West Africa and the Songhai empire to my middle school students. One of the questions they were asked was how musical and oral traditions have kept their culture alive through the past centuries. I wish I had had this album to use to really demonstrate this connection between past and present because it speaks to both so well. And it jams. Really good!
Interesting progressive modernized roots-blues with African flavour, rhythm and lyrics.
Mali <3
I enjoyed this album. Even though I don't understand the lyrics, I found the album fun to listen to. The guitar playing is quite a different style from the other albums I've listened to, so this album stands out a lot from the rest. Favorite song: Soubour Worst song: Mali
You can't stop the music. Nobody can stop the music.
and this is what the blues are for in 2022
Its very hooky. its not that sort of stuck in the muck blues style. It actually feels like its going somewhere, about something. Ai Tchere Bele has some crazy polyrythmisim going on. That was good!
This is what this list should be about. How else am I going to encounter Malian dessert blues? (Although I think I've seen this group on the NPR tiny desks concert list) I agree with the other sentiments here about how the language barrier is a bit tough. Normally that isn't a problem, but given the history of this band and the ongoing war, it's a shame I don't quite know what they are saying.
Remarkably good blues players. It's so unique and unusual to hear what ultimately sounds like really good American blues with lyrics in a foreign language. I think what I like most about this is the blending of the two elements fits naturally. Too often musicians try to force two or more styles together for the sake of being different or unique and end up with something that doesn't work. Too often they're looking for the next peanut butter and bananas but end up with peanuts and banana flavored gum.
Big vibe
I think the instrumentals can be seen as generic blues rock that’s nothing to write home about, but the combination with traditional African music styles makes this a really cool and unique listen
Bluesy, lush, and emotional
“Desert blues,” a genre I didn’t know existed. Love it. Guitar driven, American blues influenced but very African. Great stuff.
Pleasantly surprised. Very relaxing.
I will admit the language barrier makes it harder but this is very good 4/5.
I always enjoy when I come across these Desert Blues albums from Africa when listening to the various album lists. Definitely a world I want to hear more from. There is something really cool about hearing Western blues and rock influences being integrated back with the African music that forms a lot of the black music tradition in the states (obviously a big over simplification there, but hopefully you know what I mean).
This album was delightful. Not at all what I was expecting to hear going into it. Favorite track: Irganda
4 in a row! What a great streak. Love this album (their later stuff is great too - well worth diving into!). Along with the likes of Tinariwen and Imarhan, it’s ridiculous to think of how much bluesy/pysch/rock talent has come out of this region.
Good, but a little repetitive in style
thought this was a real good afropop album
Enjoyed it, but the language difference knocks a star off
I know I’m a bit late with this one (since it was yesterday’s album) but COVID has been wiping me out. But better late than never! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Soubour, Nick Have you ever heard alt rock blues from Mali? I’ll be up front and say that I had not. They sing entirely in Songhai which I don’t understand, so I can’t really comment on the lyrics. What I can say though, is you can hear the passion and feeling I’m the singing, and the music itself is excellent. I’m honestly unsure of any bands to compare them to in order to give you an idea of how they sound. If you are a fan of blues music though, definitely give Music In Exile a listen. They’ll definitely be staying in my music library.
Sweet, another one I've never heard of. These are honestly ones that I look forward to the most. Intro guitar has a really nice tone. What language is this? Definitely going to look it up. Gah damn, that guitarist is putting in work toward the end of Soubour. Irganda picks up right away and the bass at the ends slaps, I'm really enjoying this album so far! Very enjoyable, love the last track, Mali. What a gem, this album is.
Extremely interesting album. Catchy, well written and a real hidden gem. The language difference wasn't a problem at all.
repetible
Held my attention from start to finish. Great sound.
Wow the guitar work is awesome. I hear Dan Auerbach in spite of the fact that everything else is very much African.
This album blew me away & I can’t wait to listen to more from them. Love some global blues!
A pleasant listen, very much hear Ali Farka Toure in it. Wish I understood the language, seems like they have quite a story to tell being forced out of their homes during civil conflict.
Amazing guitar work. Very enjoyable from start to finish.
After reading Wikipedia, I'm sure this album has great potential to be classical in the future. Mainly for the band members' history and their musical qualities because I think it is pretty hard to be established in the jazz/blues/rock industry without singing in English.
SOLID!
I really loved bits of this, it was music that felt like it had real joy and real stakes to it. Some real hard-thumping desert blues.
Ok, this was really cool. I had never heard of them before but from the opening of the first song I knew I was into them. And their story? Incredible. I love foreign music so I will definitely be revisiting this.
Lidt Mali Music men mere rocket i det. Overraskende groovy. Bedste var umiddelbart “Soubour” og “Sekou Oumauro”. Måske værd at lytte til dem
Very enjoyable blues, and prompts a great spotify radio
nice music, listened mostly as background music but I enjoyed the rhythms and the album all the way through. 3.7
Top notch tunes and brilliant musicianship make for some compelling blues music in exile from Timbuktu. Powerful stuff, great listen.
I enjoyed this. Well-produced bluesy fusion of geographical styles.
This is actually really cool. I think I would enjoy this live. The one thing that makes it not 5 stars for me is the different language. So much of music for me is the lyrics so I really want to hear what they are saying. I really like the call and response type lyrics. My favorite is Sekou Oumarou
Good riffs, good vocals, solid album.
I love this
Closer to 3.75 stars, interesting world music
Well worthwhile listening to. Most of the album is fairly traditional blues with an touch of Mali, but there are a couple of tracks at the end that seem to be more traditional Malian music (I guess as I don't have a lot of experience of the music from there). The vocals are smoother than Blues would normally have but they work, I will probably look for some more of their work
No había acabado la intro de la primera rola y ya me estaba gustando. Ese blues con letra en un lenguaje que no entiendo me llamó mucho la atención. Y luego el disco sigue muy bien, combinando música tradicional africana con blues de una forma muy agradable. El problema es que sí se vuelve un poco largo. Para cuando estaba en la última rola, la verdad ya tenía baja atención y estaba pensando en qué escuchar después. En fin, creo que sin broncas le alcanza para la 4 estrella.
Great tunes! Unfortunately, I can't deal with the unknown language.
Really enjoyed this one
I thought this was so great - really easily listening but totally rad blues. Will look up more about this band!
I've definitely listened to this before and really liked it. I thought it was through doing this list but obviously not! Loved it!
Immediately exiled from the book after one edition! That's harsh, and somehow symbolic. The world doesn't care, but likes to appear that it does, then quietly undo everything when people aren't looking. And so many garbage albums that outlived their relevance years ago remain. Yes, David Grey. Anyway, this is really good. To be fair, there's quite a lot of excellent desert blues and whatnot floating around these days if you listen out for it. Which is a great thing. This is a good example of it.
Nice
Soubour is a classic, Wayei great desert-trance, Petit Metier beautiful, and great finish with Desert Melodie and Mali <3
Songhoy enters the legendary Mali music scene and somehow finds themselves at home from the very first strum.
My review, a breakdown: - music is really cool, unconventional blues-type stuff: 1 point - making it into the 1001 list despite not being from the UK: 1 point - best album I've ever heard from Mali: 1 point - cover looks like a gay porno: 1 point 4/5.
Really awesome African blues. I'm digging it a lot. I'm surprised this is the first I've heard of it.
Fantastic! A contemporary album from a Mali-based group with original-sounding guitar-centric bluesy music with its own flavor and style? Hecks, YES. This album is outstanding. I'll definitely listen to it again and I'm off to go explore their other music. Beautiful guitar work, fascinating groove, and I want to know more.