Album review: Bombino, Nomad (Nonesuch)

Bombino, Nomad (Nonesuch)

Omara “Bombino” Moctar's 13-minute “Tigrawahi Tikma” was one of the standout cuts on last year's Songs For Desert Refugees compilation, its driving guitar trills exemplifying the enduring strength of Tuareg desert-blues.

Produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, Nomad confirms Bombino's promise, but with a few added surprises. Opener “Amidinine” lopes along with the camel-gait rhythm peculiar to the region, and Bombino's guitar tone is wiry and astringent, but his voice is surprisingly high and gentle, with an almost Marc Bolan-esque timbre.

Download: Amidinine; Ahulakamine Hulan; Aman; Zigzan