Tinariwen's sixth album didn't come about easily. Political instability in the northern Sahara desert region of their native Mali meant they were forced to up sticks and record Emmaar in the States. The good news, however, is that their desert blues was still able to be recorded in an actual desert – The Joshua Tree desert in California to be precise.

American musicians feature on the album, too, including Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Anyone worried that the distinctive Tinariwen sound could be be dilluted, however, can relax: Emmaar showcases the band on peak form and still in touch with the problems faced by their country's Tuareg inhabitants.

"The new songs of this album talk about what we feel today," says bassist Eyadou Ag Leche. "The Tuareg issues, the need of being recognized by the administration of our country. But also some poetic ways of describing our feelings. The Tamasheq language is using a lot of metaphors, and it comes from the old traditional Tuareg poetry that tells about the Tuareg tribes, their adventures in the desert, the wars, but also the beauty of the desert, the sky, the lands, and the Assouf, our blues, and nostalgia of an old time."

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