TINARIWEN is the debut for the Malian Touareg Rebel group and it is the third release on Justin Adams' Wayward label. The album was recorded at the end of 2000 in Bamako, Mali and produced by Justin Adams, who has also held production responsibility for French global troubadours Lo'Jo's acclaimed albums Boheme De Cristal & Mojo Radio.
The birth of the band TINARIWEN in 1982 is closely linked to the exile and wandering situation of the Touareg people, the Berber nomads of the Sahara Desert. Their sung poetry calls for the political awakening of consciousness and approaches the problems of the exile, of the repression in Mali, of the policy of their people's expulsion to Algeria and of the claims for sovereignty and self-determination. The band, originally called Taghreft Tinariwen meaning 'building up of countries' first performed in the Lybian barracks before moving on to play at traditional celebrations and youth parties of the Touareg.
A whole new style took root in those barracks; the traditional instruments such as the teherdent lute and shepherd flute were discarded in favour of the electric guitar, electric bass and drums. Music loosely based on traditional Touareg music and the harsh melodies of the one-stringed Touareg violin, but also incorporating influences such as Bob Marley, the rebels of the Moroccan new wave like Nass El Ghiwane, Bob Dylan together with the other disparate influences, both western and middle eastern, which managed to penetrate that far into the desert. The new style was and still is known as 'Tishoumaren' or simply 'guitar', because the instrument is so central to both the music and image. TINARIWEN were at the spearhead of this musical revolution, whilst also being involved in the armed struggle.
'Tishoumaren' plays a determining part in the cultural and identity claims of the Touareg youth and TINARIWEN are large part of that, they are the pride of the desert. Every man, woman, boy and girl from Timbuktu to Tamanrasset and beyond can sing at least some of the songs word for word. The songs are lively, echoing imaginary shapes, deeply truthful of the collective passion that structures the resistance. Exile and opposition are the main themes tackled by TINARIWEN. The band is composed of about 10 people all of whom are some of the best and most famous composers and performers of the contemporary Touareg.
To accompany the release TIRANIWEN have played at Rosskilde Festival, Denmark and are due to play at Womad Rivermead Festival on 27th July. When seen live they have been met by both critical acclaim and a riotous appreciation.
Tinariwen's first album was released in the UK on 27th July 2001 on Wayward, through Proper Distribution.