Tuareg guitarist Bombino is set to release his new album titled Sahel on September 15th through Partisan Records. The album is named after the vast African region extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. It serves as the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2018 album Deran, which made Bombino the first Grammy-nominated artist from Niger. The lead single from Sahel, called “Aitma,” features Bombino’s impressive guitar skills and expresses a plea for unity and solidarity across the Sahel region. The accompanying music video was directed by Ron Wyman.
For the creation of Sahel, Bombino collaborated closely with Welsh producer David Wrench, and together with his bandmates, they recorded the album in Casablanca over a ten-day period. The album is Bombino’s most personal, powerful, and politically-minded work to date. It aims to reflect the diverse cultures and people that make up the Sahel region.
Bombino addresses various themes in his music, including the struggles faced by the Tuareg people, lost love, and the follies of youth. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with listeners on a personal level. The extra time spent at home during the pandemic helped him gain clarity and focus on his purpose while creating the album.
Sahel also features incisive commentaries by Bombino, discussing the divisions among the Tuareg people, the risks of exile, and the threat of losing Tuareg culture. He highlights the lack of necessities experienced by many Tuareg people throughout the region and aims to give them a voice through his music. Bombino’s intention is to raise awareness and encourage people to think about the Tuareg community and their struggles.
Buy Sahel.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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