"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".