Tinariwen (Tamasheq: ⵜⵏⵔⵓⵏ, with vowels ⵜⵉⵏⴰⵔⵉⵡⵉⵏ, pronounced tinariwen "deserts", plural of ténéré "desert") is a collective of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali. Considered a pioneer of desert blues, the group's guitar-driven style combines traditional Tuareg and African music with Western rock music. They have released 8 albums since their formation and have toured internationally.
The group's founding members created an unnamed musical group in 1979 while exiled in Tamanrasset, Algeria. Tinariwen formed as a musical collective while in military training in Libya, aiming to write songs about issues facing the Tuareg people. They returned to Mali in 1989, with some members joining as fighters in a Tuareg rebellion before dedicating themselves to music full time in 1991 after a peace accord was reached.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played a track from their album, Amassakoul, on his programme in 2004, but didn't seem to play any further material, although Rick Smith and Karl Hyde of Underworld, who sat in for Peel on 19 October 2004, played a tune from that same LP on their show. Andy Kershaw, a friend and fellow colleague of Peel, was a fan of their music and would often play their songs on his programmes.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- Post-Peel
- 2007 Festive Fifty: Matadjem Yinmixan #32
Other Shows Played[]
- 13 April 2004: 'Oualahila Ar Tesninam (LP-Amassakoul)' (Independent)
- 19 October 2004: 'Oualahila Ar Tesninam (LP-Amassakoul)' (Independent)