From Timbuktu Mali AL BILALI SOUDAN are members of an extended family of craftsmen who for generations have been sought after musicians and griots. This band is the torch-bearer of a quintessentially Tamasheq music shaped by continuous interplay between tehardent, hand percussion and vocals.

After their showcase at WOMEX 2022 and a 12 concert US tour, Al Bilali Soudan came into the studio to record this album. Sparked by the electricity of their passion, the album was recorded in one intense day. The group’s energy is palpable. Lightning fast, sometimes looping, this is intense mastery of a traditional repertoire, improvised and adapted into the 21st century. Released in 2023, this is Al Bilali Soudan’s third album.

Banning Eyre of Afropop Worldwide described them “exquisite … mind-blowing”. Robert Christgau wrote “If you like desert music enough to suspect you've heard it before, you haven't.” Adriane Pontecorvo in popmatters.com said “The electronic buzz of plugged-in tehardent no longer sounds like the repetition of background music. Now, it starts a fire, fully energized, and with every member at full volume.” 

Al Bilali Soudan represent the cultural source of a style that has evolved into the modern desert blues.  Abellow Yattara, the group leader, can be heard on early recordings by Ali Farka Toure, on 1970’s recordings by the Orchestre de Tombouctou, and on many Radio Mali broadcasts.  He accompanied vocalist Khaira Arby on recordings and on tour.  In 2010 he gave a master class at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

As Dennis Rozanski said in Bluesrag/mogoworking.com, their music is rock music from “thousands of years before the concept of rock was ever hatched”.