Music / blues

The Sahara sessions


Reviews (2)


Pitchfork

d. 10. June 2013

By

By

Joe Tangari

d. 10. June 2013

"The details of the politics underlying the songwriting on this album may elude listeners who don't speak the language (I am no exception there), but the way the recording emphasizes the traditional rhythms and the texture of the voices sends an accessible enough message about the importance of cultural memory".


fRoots

2013 July

By

By

Liam Thompson

2013 July

"The Sahara Sessions sees Mali's Etran Finatawa head deep into desert country, away from electricity and distraction, with only music to keep them company. As with Tinariwen's Desert Sessions, the resulting sound is stripped back and acoustic and, in places, almost ecclestiastical. In places, The Sahara Sessions is a pleasing enough record. Opening track Matinfa and stand out track An Mataf Germanawen are solid enough affairs. What really distinguishes this though from similar desert outings, such as Tinariwen's, is that, unfortunately, Etran Finatawa's songwriting isn't quite strong enough to stand the scrutiny of being acoustic and unproduced".