Idrache (Traces Of The Past)

Here are a dozen hidden gems from the Sahara. Rough-hewn, but intimate and beautiful recordings by Tinariwen, the world's most famous Tuareg band. Some are demos that were later released in more produced versions on subsequent albums, and four of them have never been released before. This is music to transport you, music that makes you feel you are in the Sahara with these extraordinary musicians, for whom it is their home and their inspiration. These are raw desert treasures, recorded live with no overdubs, that are only emerging into the sunlight with this album of rarities, Idrache, Traces of the Past. With their long desert robes and Tuareg turbans, or shesh, Tinariwen are the originators of what's become known as 'desert blues, ' a style of music they themselves call 'assuf, ' which also means 'longing' or 'homesickness' in the Tamasheq language. Exchanging Kalashnikovs for guitars after participating in the 1990 Tuareg rebellion, Tinariwen really are rock 'n' roll rebels, drawing people into their growling vocals, spacey guitar lines, and clapping rhythms. Over the past two decades, they've been popular and regular guests at festivals all around the world, where they've done a lot to raise awareness about Tuareg culture and identity. The songs on this album were recorded in 2002, 2006, and 2008, the first about a decade after the band started to become known internationally.