I was lucky enough to see Algerian rockers Imarhan at the beginning of their first U.S. tour when they played at Levitation Austin, Texas last April. I’d heard a couple of their tracks on BBC 6 Music (the greatest radio station on Earth) and made sure to get my wife and I tickets to see them. They didn’t disappoint, and neither does their self-titled debut album.
“Tarha Tadagh” gets the album off to a lovely start with subdued vocals, handclaps, and peaceful acoustic guitars. “Tahabort” is the first single, and it sizzles with that crisp and bouncy guitar sound that only Tuareg players seem to be able to play as the hand percussion gets the floor jumping. “Ibas Ichikkou” is like a meditative chant you’d hear in a desert tent full of incense smoke and strings of bells hanging on the tent ropes. “Idarchan Net” is in the same vein and has more lovely acoustic guitar work throughout it.
If I ever get to Alergia and have a cup of tea in a little café within sight of the desert, I fully expect “Assossamagh” to be playing there while tough old men smoke cigarettes, kids play soccer in the street, and a mutt sits nearby waiting for me to drop a piece of bread. It’s a lovely song.
The title track, and the band’s name, translates as “The ones I care about.” The song has great backing vocals by the band as they put down a fierce beat and scorching guitar. It got the crowd cheering and dancing when we saw them in Austin.
“Addounia Azdjazzaqat” and “Id Islegh” get back to the mellow grooves (I especially like the raindrop-like percussion on “Id Islegh”). “Aroj N-inizdjam” grows in volume and funk as it winds along like a happy balloon drifting through the streets of Tamanrasset while a child chases after it. “Alwak” brings a blue vibe that is unexpected and mesmerizing. It’s something Lightning Hopkins would’ve played and sang if he’d been born in the Sahara instead of Texas.
Imarhan have stated in interviews that they wish to shake up the perception of Tuareg music in western audiences. They don’t wear traditional robes and scarves. They don’t dress much different than the Strokes. They play music rooted in traditional Tuareg sounds, but they also embrace blues, jazz, rock, and even funk. Get in on the ground floor with these guys now, because they’re going to be a big act on the world stage.
Keep your mind open.
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