The album “Amatssou” by Malian band Tinariwen has landed at #1 on the World Music category on the North American College and Community radio (NACC) charts for the week ending May 23, 2023.
“Amatssou” presents Tinariwen’s distinctive guitar lines and mesmerizing rhythms, which combine harmoniously with additional instruments like pedal steel, piano, and strings provided by guest musicians such as Daniel Lanois.
The album’s lyrics are filled with poetic allegories and emphasize the importance of unity and freedom. Some songs touch upon the struggles and resistance faced, making subtle references to recent political turmoil in Mali and the growing influence of the Salafists. In the track “Arajghiyine,” Ibrahim Ag Alhabib sings, “Dear brothers all rest, all leisure will always be far from reach unless your homeland is liberated and all the elders can live there in dignity.” The album’s title, “Amatssou,” translates to “Beyond The Fear” in Tamashek.
Buy Amatssou.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central