Folk Music of The Sahel Vol 1: Niger [coll] – [Sublime Frequencies]

Thurston Hunger   2/16/2015   12-inch, International

What a devoted collection in all forms, written, visually (the
amazing photographs make a poor country look resplendent)
and of course the sound. Sometimes songs for a God are the
most beautiful aspects of mankind, and while not all the cuts
are celebrations of Islam, they are glorious. The liner notes are
a must read, as the threats on musicians from various sides
I think underscore Hisham Mayet’s appreciation for and curation
of what hopefully are not vanishing arts and artists. We’ve been
lucky to have Tuareg musicians not just find their way into our
library, but actually live into our studio. Sounds from them and
the Fulani, men singing deep in their throats, women soaring in
choirs of chants and one amazing piece of kids singing (do
not miss “Young Girl Night Village Dance”). Lots of strings,
dry as banjos or splashing with electric psych on the last
side with guitars, power drone horns, fleeting flutes. Rapturous
and all recorded in the past 10 years.
-Thurston Hunger