Released: 04/11/22
A revelatory discovery in the Tinariwen archives, Kel Tinariwen is an early cassette tape (now available on vinyl) recorded in the early 90s (and which never received a wide release) that sheds new light on the band’s already storied history. Not yet exhibiting the rich and intricately interwoven ‘desert blues’ sound for which they became internationally known, Kel Tinariwen is endearingly lo-fi and features the band’s trademark hypnotic guitar lines and call-and-response vocals atop raw drum machine rhythms, and keyboard melodies that present an Arabic take on 80s synth-pop. Indeed, there are distinct parallels with the sounds found on this tape and the work uncovered in recent years by cratedigger labels such as Awesome Tapes From Africa, Sahel Sounds, and Sublime Frequencies, and the experience of listening to this intimate collection is one of pure delight. It’s truly a privilege to experience this formative work from one of the planet’s most revered bands.