Tal National – Tantabara (FatCat Records, 2018)
Tantabara is the new album by the remarkable Nigerien band Tal National. Their music reflects the melting pot of Niger, featuring a wide-range of traditional musical influences fro the various ethnic groups represented in the band. What’s remarkable about this collective led by guitarist Hamadal Issoufou Moumine (also known as Almeida) is that they inject powerful rock into the mix.
Tal National delivers a high energy sound with irresistible rhythms, where conventional rock drums are mixed with talking drums. Moumine’s extraordinary variable guitar draws influences from psychedelic rock, Afropop, and progressive rock.
On Tantabara you’ll find a large variety of vocalists who combine captivating lead vocals, choruses and call and response techniques. Meanwhile, the musicians are masters at frantic polyrhythms and time shifts, changing the tempo easily from dazzling speed to laid back and trance-like moments.
Tantabara is a spectacular Nigerien rock album masterfully crafted by Tal National.
Buy Tantabara
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
