I was a little bit late to the party with the band Tinariwen, but since first hearing them a few albums ago, I can't get enough of them. These nomadic musicians are from the Sahara Desert and have been making their unique "desert blues" sounds since forming in 1979.

Tinariwen's eighth international album is titled Elwan, which means "elephants" in their native Tamashek language. There's been some problems in the Sahara, so the new album was mainly cut in Joshua Tree, Calif., with musicians like Kurt Vile and Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan. But it's still really about Tinariwen!

I chose the song "Sastanàqqàm" (sah-STON-ah-cahm), which features their mesmerizing concoction of swirling guitars and hypnotic rhythms inspired by the gait of camels. This is the perfect music to just get lost in!

Go see 'em live at The Cedar on April 10. You'll be transformed!

Resources

Tinariwen - official site