imarhan timbuktu: akal warled

At dance clubs and private parties in Northern Mali, Imarhan Timbuktu had provided much of the grooving soundtrack to life there over the past 10 years. Local favorite and featured artist at the legendary Festival au Desert along with their sister group, Tartit, Imarhan Timbuktu have toured Europe and North America, bringing the contemporary music of their culture to world audiences. Grounded in traditional Saharan repertoire, Imarhan Timbuktu developed their unique sound to clearly represent an authentic Tuareg contemporary expression in music influenced by the sounds of the world. This is a connected generation. You'll find them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You will find them engaged with local issues as those issues have become world issues. As witnesses to the incredible political forces shattering their world, Imarhan Timbuktu create riveting music. Their electric instruments mix with traditional hand drums. The chorus breathes notes of nostalgia, loss, celebration and pride. The many experiments and collaborations with which the group members have been involved over the years have moved this Tuareg desert blues to fresh coordinates. The group's leader, Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar El Ansari, with his searing guitar and clear voice, takes Imarhan Timbuktu into a swirl of rhythmic variations. Backing him is younger brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar El Ansari, who solidly slashes rhythm lines across the entire aural universe of their music while underneath, the insistent tinde hand-drumming of their sisters, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeinabou Walet, establish the foundation under it all. Their contrapuntal propulsion and vocal shouts drive the cadence forward. Add bass and calabash, and the group brings everyone to their feet. This is dance music. It is protest music. It is music that affirms a culture under siege. Imarhan Timbuktu represent a new wave of Tuareg music, proud of their heritage and bravely looking forward to the future. Imarhan Timbuktu is Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar (lead vocal, lead guitar); Ousmane Ag Oumar (rhythm guitar, backup vocal); Fadimata Walet Oumar (tende hand-drum, backup vocal); Zeinabou Walet Oumar (tende hand drum, backup vocal); Baba Traore (bass); Alpha Ousmane Sankare dit Hama (calabash).