Former album of the week on the GondwanaSound radio show, the debut album from Tamikrest, Adagh, has a UK release on 1st March. In giving them a four star review Mojo has this to say, "Tamikrest are a 21st century rock group who just happen to live in the middle of the desert. Adagh is the sound of a second generation of Tuareg musicians preparing to go global." Whilst Jungle Drums say, "Beautiful, spacious blues that unites the desert they call home... Adagh is seriously good." Read more for the full press release.
“They’re definitely the future of Tamashek music!” This is what Andy Morgan, for many years Tinariwen’s manager, says about desert blues/ rock band Tamikrest.
Formed in 2006, Tamikrest are the "spiritual sons" of Tinariwen.“They’re definitely the future of Tamashek music!” This is what Andy Morgan, for many years Tinariwen’s manager, says about desert blues/ rock band Tamikrest (see also Tamikrest’s full biography, written by Andy Morgan). Formed in 2006, Tamikrest are the “spiritual sons” of Tinariwen. Their hypnotic and intense tunes take the tradition of both Tamashek blues and rock music to the next level - as can be experienced on their debut album ‘Adagh’, to be released by Glitterhouse Records, a German independent label, so far better known for Americana releases.
Tamashek is the language of the Touareg, nomadic people inhabiting the Saharan desert across various countries, including Niger, Algeria, Libya and Mali. The name Tamikrest is Tamashek for junction/ connection/ knot/ coalition. The seven members of Tamikrest, who originate from Mali, Niger and Algeria, came together to express their Touareg identity through Ishumar rock, the Touareg rebel music. About their backgrounds they say: “A desert hosts us, a language unites us, a culture binds us”.
The band’s leader and songwriter, 27-year-old singer/guitarist Ousmane Ag Mossa was five when he first heard a Tinariwen song; it immediately struck a chord with him. Ousmane explains: “When Touareg children arrive in the public Malian schools, they are soon confronted with an administration that refuses to see the realities our people suffer. The youngsters are subject to racism and marginalisation every day at school. Our hope is to have the world listen to our revolutionary songs, which reflect the harsh life conditions that our people endure."
Tamikrest’s songs also praise the desert, a place that is fundamental for the Touareg. And it was in the silky dunes of Essakane at the 2008 Festival of the Desert where they met Dirtmusic, a group of rock’n’roll veterans from the USA and Australia: Chris Eckman (leader of acclaimed US band The Walkabouts, also collaborated with Willard Grant Conspiracy and many others), Hugo Race (leader of True Spirit, also collaborated with The Bad Seeds) and Chris Brokaw (collaborated with Evan Dando, The Willard Grant Conspiracy and Sonic Youth). With their tents side by side not only did they share Touareg tea, but they also found themselves jamming together and discovered that their ideas and music fit perfectly.
The two bands stayed in touch, and Dirtmusic later returned to Mali to record their own album “BKO” which features Tamikrest, Fadimata from Tartit as well as Lobi Traoré (to be released in the spring of 2010). Soon after, Dirtmusic’s Chris Eckman returned to Mali to produce Tamikrest’s debut album at the famous studio Bogolan in Bamako.
Tamikrest are due to perform in the UK in 2010, together with Dirtmusic.
Photos from Tamikrest's MySpace site.
Tamikrest and Dirtmusic play London on Wednesday 19th May 7pm The Borderline, Orange Yard, Off Manette Street, London W1D 4JB Tickets can be bought from Ticket Master
