RIVERBOAT

ETRAN FINATAWA
Desert Crossroads

• Cat No: TUGCD1048

• Format: CD

• Barcode: 605633004823

• Release date: 21^st April 2008

• Genre: World

Among the grasslands of the Sahel and the shifting dunes of the Sahara desert, two legendary nomadic peoples, the Wodaabe and Tuareg, are joined together in the raunchy guitars and haunting voices of Etran Finatawa.

As the winds of change cast uncertainty over their nomadic lifestyle, both cultures are at a crossroads. Etran Finatawa reflect on their roots, with a nostalgia and warmth that mirrors the majesty of their desert home.

Etran Finatawa are six musicians – Tuareg and Wodaabe people but now based in Niamey, Niger. Many of the songs on this album reflect their longing to return to their roots – the nomadic lifestyle which relies on cattle, the great expanse of the Sahelian grasslands and never-ending dunes of the Sahara.

Since the release of their first BBC Award-nominated album (Introducing: Etran Finatawa, 2006) the band have toured constantly all over the world. It wasn’t until July 2007 that they found time to go into the studio to record Desert Crossroads, an album of North African blues, underpinned by acoustic percussion, traditional Wodaabe vocals, fused with electric guitar and Tuareg rhythms. The songs are about the rapid change threatening age-old traditions – a warning that their rich culture and identity must be cherished and allowed to flourish.

Personnel:

Ghalitane Khamidoune – (vocals, guitar), Alhousseini Mohamed Anivolla – (bass, rhythm guitar, vocals), Bagui Bouga –m(calabash, odilirou flute, vocals, doudandou), Mamane Tankari – (azakalabo, vocals), Zaid Ag Abdoul Jamil – (tende, vocals), Bammo Agonla – (vocals, hand claps)

Tracks:

1. Saghmar N Nanna

2. Kel Tamasheck

3. Iguefan

4. Tea Ceremony I

5. Jama’aare

6. Tekana

7. Ganyo Maada

8. Soto

9. Asistan

10. Bagui’s Soundscape

11. Gaynaako

12. Alghalem Taxat

13. Tea Ceremony II

14. Amidinine

15. Naanaaye

16. Tea Ceremony III