Imarhan Timbuktu - Akal Warled (2014)

At dance clubs and private parties in Northern Mali, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU had provided much of the grooving soundtrack to life there over the past 10 years. Local favorite and featured artist at the legendary Festival au Desert along with their sister group, TARTIT, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU have toured Europe and North America bringing the contemporary music of their culture to world audiences. Grounded in traditional Saharan repertoire, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU developed their unique sound to clearly represent an authentic Tuareg contemporary expression in music influenced by the sounds of the world. This is a connected generation. You’ll find them on facebook, twitter and youtube. You will find them engaged with local issues as those issues have become world issues. As witnesses to the incredible political forces shattering their world, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU create riveting music. Their electric instruments mix with traditional hand percussion. The chorus breaths notes of nostalgia, loss, celebration and pride. This Tuareg desert blues brings fresh coordinates. The group’s leader, Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar El Ansari, with his guitar and clear voice takes IMARHAN TIMBUKTU into a swirl of rhythmic variations. Backing him is younger brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar El Ansari, who holds his solid rhythm line while underneath the tinde hand drumming of their sisters, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeinabou Walet, establish the foundation. Add bass and calabash and the group brings everyone to their feet. This is dance music. It is protest music. It is music that affirms a culture under siege. IMARHAN TIMBUKTU represent the new wave of Tuareg music, proud of their heritage and bravely struggling forward to the future.