“Desert Blues”, the usual tag for Saharan Tuareg bands like Terakaft and Tinariwen, doesn’t do justice to their diversity. On their last album, Kel Tamasheq, and this fifth offering, Terakaft have stretched into new sonic territory, helped by the deft production of Justin Adams. The familiar handclaps, drones and sinuous guitar lines are all present, but Alone has a rockier sound and an angrier tone, fuelled by bloody events in northern Mali. Opener Anabayou lopes along to a reggae rhythm, Oulhin asnin evolves into psychedelic workout, and the skipping acoustic drive of Amidinin Senta aniflas recalls 1920s delta blues. Irresistible.
