In the 21st century, the music of the Tuareg people, a diverse group spread across the Sahara encompassing Mali, Niger, and beyond, has reached an unprecedented international audience. Groups including Bombino, Mdou Moctar, Tinariwen, and Les Filles de Illighadad have incorporated the mesmerizing, repetitious qualities of the region's folk music into rollicking, full-band rock and roll, bringing countless new ears to these styles developed in the African desert. Tuareg Music of the Southern Sahara, originally released on Folkways in 1960, traces the origins of these sounds and styles, focusing on the ecstatic vocalizations and singing accompanied by sparse instrumentation. These raw, extemporaneous recordings offer a glimpse at the musical traditions dating back hundreds of years from many tribes and localities from throughout the Sahel. This reissue is part of Smithsonian Folkways Vinyl Reissue Series, bringing to light gems from the extensive collection and revisiting some of the most iconic and influential albums released by the label. This album is being released alongside other international classics Gambian Griot Kora Duets by Alhjai Bai Konte, Dembo Konte, and Ma Lamini Jabote and Calypso Travels by Lord Invader.

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