• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Spellbinding Music

Genre-bending & spine-tingling

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Songhoy Blues: Music in Exile

August 17, 2015 By guillaume

Influenced by desert blues legends like Ali Farka Touré (1939 – 2006) or Khaira Arby and growing up listening to tapes of BB King, John Lee Hooker or Jimi Hendrix, the four members of Malian band Songhoy Blues play a raw and energetic mix of blues, rock and R&B on a straightforward guitars, bass and drums formula. Released on Transgressive Records in February 2015 last, their début record Music in Exile reveals a superb collection of infectious and anthemic songs.

Songhoy Blues - Music in Exile (2015)
Songhoy Blues – Music in Exile (2015)

Originally from the Gao and Timbuktu areas of Northern Mali, singer and guitarist Aliou Touré, guitarist Garba Touré, bass guitarist Oumar Touré (no relations) were forced into exile in the southern part of the country when Jihadist militants took over the region in 2012 and outlawed all musical activities. Settling in the Malian capital Bamako, the three musicians met with drummer Nathanaël Dembelé and formed Songhoy Blues in an effort to cope with the enforced displacement and keep their musical culture alive.

The story of Songhoy Blues as a band in exile (and as members of the displaced Songhai people) is symptomatic of the plight of Malian musicians over the last three years.

A major stage for Malian acts, Tuareg or World Music bands and initially launched in 2001, the renowned Festival in the Desert has been on hold since 2013. Since the 2012 rebellion, it has been replaced by a “Cultural Caravan for Peace”, a travelling version of the festival set up in an attempt to connect with dislocated Malian artists and musicians from neighbouring countries.

Released in August 2015, Johanna Schwartz’s documentary They Will Have to Kill Us First – Malian Music in Exile further highlights the consequences of the music ban on Malian cultural life and features the music of Songhoy Blues, along that of other Malian acts such as Khaira Arby or Moussa Sidi.

Regulars on the Bamako club scene, the band’s fortunes changed in late 2013 when they recorded for the Africa Express project spearheaded by Blur’s Damon Albarn and Amadou & Mariam producer Marc-Antoine Moreau. Their song “Soubour” appeared on the Maison des Jeunes compilation, first released digitally in December 2013 and as CD/Vinyl in April 2014.

Championed by Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner who produced their début album and also contributed to guitar, percussion and organ, Songhoy Blues blend a traditional Songhai heritage with contemporary sounds and themes – peace and reconciliation, environmental issues, patience and resignation and a deep affection for their country. But first and foremost, Music in Exile is instantly captivating with its electrifying grooves and rousing songs.

http://songhoy-blues.com/

Filed Under: Contemporary Tagged With: blues, indie, Songhoy Blues, songwriting

Subscribe to Spellbinding Music

Never miss a post and subscribe to Spellbinding Music via email. Receive weekly and enchanting musical updates straight into your inbox - and it's free!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About

Spellbinding Music is a blog which curates contemporary, modern classical, roots, electronic, jazz and folk music…and everything in between. ... [Continue Reading]

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Read this week

Follow via Email

Search

Recent Posts

Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger - Force Majeure (2020)

Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger: Force Majeure

Yumi Ito - Stardust Crystals (2020)

Yumi Ito: Stardust Crystals

Lau Nau - Poseidon (2017)

Lau Nau: Poseidon

Stéphane Tsapis - Le Piano Oriental (2019)

Stéphane Tsapis: Le Piano Oriental

Mary Lattimore - Silver Ladders (2020)

Mary Lattimore: Silver Ladders

Azu Tiwaline - Draw Me A Silence (2020)

Azu Tiwaline: Draw Me A Silence/Magnetic Service

Before Footer

Birds on a Wire - Ramages (2020)
Nadah El Shazly - Ahwar (2017)
Brigid Mae Power - Head Above the Water (2020)
Anna Mieke - Idle-Mind (2019)
Conor Walsh - The-Lucid (2019) - artwork © Louise Gaffney
Seán Mac Erlaine - Music for Empty Ears (2018) - Artwork © Distinctive Repetition
Khruangbin - Con Todo El Mundo (2018)

Footer

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 Spellbinding Music | Website by Pagecrafted

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.