Khaira Arby - Timbuktu Tarab
Reviewed by Sadie O., 8/9/11
Malian desert blues with powerful female singer. Multicultural in background, language and musical styles, incorporating a variety of modern and traditional instruments and styles, as well as cultural concepts. There are some songs of Malian history, but track 10 is a condemnation of the practice of female circumcision. Big band and chorus, lots of sound, and strong, deep-throated singing. I’ve heard women hear say they’d be more interested in hearing north African music if they felt women were more represented – well here you go. BTW, her cousin is Ali Farka Toure…
Everything’s good to great.
1. 5:25 ***string flourishes, midtempo loping stroll, call and response. More energy than some Malian music. Switches to double-time midway through.
2. 4:21 ***deep guitar flourishes and intense vocals. Uptempo complex rhythm. Growling guitar solos.
3. 5:22 **ancient bowed instrument and spoken diatribe, then pretty, windswept midtempo groove with hand claps.
4. 4:08 ***rock and roll, Malian style! Still has the loping camel-walk groove, but also trap drums and energy.
5. 5:42 ****funky! Groovy, bluesy, soulful… Downtempo and relaxed. Gets a bit of Reggae beat at the end.
6. 3:54 ***sweet guitar duet intro, upbeat romp.
7. 4:13 **stuttering guitar intro, pretty loping, relaxed bluesy stroll.
8. 5:19 ***lovely relaxed groove, bluesy and pretty, several stuttering guitars playing off each other. Lovely song of praise to Allah.
9. 4:34 ***laid back, but soulful midtempo groove.
10. 3:50 ***energetic and uptempo intro, strong female call and response, odd but not undanceable riddim.
11. 5:53 **cool traditional instrument intro, midtempo relaxed sway with interesting balance of old and new elements.
12. 4:46 ***midtempo and quite complex, yet swingy. Some really fun guitar work.