Etran Finatawa-Introducing

The success of Tuareg blues/rock group Tinariwen informed the wider world to the influence of musical styles mixing with African desert folk music. The band, which formed in 1992, launched a political and social assault on Malian and Algerian governments, using fuzzy guitars and metaphorical poetry to plead the case of nomadic peoples. 12 years later and two separate groups – comprised of six Wodaabe and four Tuareg musicians from Niger – united to battle the racial injustices their respective cultures had been enduring. Whereas it took Tinariwen over a decade to break into the Western market, Etran Finatawa, “the stars of tradition,” began touring Europe in 2005, the year after their first jam.

Credit Tinariwen for opening those doors, but give equal accolades to the incredible musicianship showcased on Etran Finatawa’s international debut. The bluesy electric guitars are prevalent, though the focus remains on percussion, bass and the droning repetitiveness of superb chants and poetry. In short, this is a record one really feels. Producer Chris Birkett, who recorded the band live in one room while on their European tour, does an exceptional job at capturing the lush textures of the azakalabo (water-flooding calabash), akayaure (metal rings on a metal plate, worn on legs) and the occasional lilt of the odiliri, a traditional flute. His bass playing helps fill out the low end, a special addition considering only six of the band’s 10 musicians made it to France.

1. Surbajo
2. A Dunya
3. Lledeman
4. Aliss
5. Maleele
6. Iriarer
7. Ekenan
8. Anadjibo
9. Ronde
10. Heeme

part 1 , part 2