(Ethnic Blues) VA - Desert Blues volume 1 - 3 (6 CD) - 1995-2008, MP3, 320 kbps

The Desert Blues. Ambiances du Sahara(2CD box) is unusual release for Network label which produces CDs by its own means. This time several Eastern & North/Central African musicians are united under one cover, which seems to me not quite justified. I won`t comment on the "Eastern" part of this album but pay special attention to the other which explains the title "Desert Blues". I`d just like to point out an absolutely fantactic composition of Mahmoud Ahmed from Ethiopia - "Ere Mela Mela/Meche Neu"(a real masterpiece).
You can`t come across "western" blues in Africa. The most comprehensible out of many is Ali Farka Toure`s music(such well-known blues stars as Ry Cooder, "Diaraby" and Taj Mahal,"Roucky" took part in its recording). However, if you still treat this album with the "blues feeling", "Sama Guent Guii" by Youssou N`Dour(quite rare song from Yande Codou Sene & Youssou N'Dour`s "Gainde/Voices from the Heart of Africa" ) and "Saa Magni" by Oumou Sangare will turn out to be the true blues. They sing about the pain, the loss, the tiredness and hope. The terrific Youssou N`Dour`s voice just looks better with the simple guitar accompanement.
Sahara`s Baly Othmani, Tuareg`s nomad, collaborated with a famous "multi-cultural" figure Steve Shehan(an original cherokee), which lead to the sound of pre-electrified blues last years. One more extreme sample of this sound is Abou Djouba`s music(unfortunately, I know nothing about him). There are two unusual compositions by Baaba Maal, one of the recognized African musical rebellers; the instrumental "Samba" is the most wonderful, almost pure blues.
Ebraim "Tata Dindin" Jobarteh from Guinea presents Manding music, which hardly associates with blues-feeling; but these tunes allow to hear the clear sound of kora. The real surprise for those who knew him only in "Salam" group.
Sali Sidibe shows more "rawer" version of Wassolou style, popularized by Oumou Sangare. And luminous and warm final song "M`bore" by Sona Diabate from Guinea sounds similar to Louisiana cajun music reminding of the general french influence.
The album leaves a good impression(thanks to well-built ending) but does not create a feeling of a whole. In my mind, it would be more interesting and justified to place music from such different regions on separate CDs,- each part would look like a completed powerful fusion, and a convincing contrast would appear.
Network have assembled a brilliant cast of musicians to introduce non-African listeners to the power & diversity of sounds in the vast, northern zones of the continent. There is no ambient blur or incidental sounds one might anticipate from 'ethnic', unsophisticated field recordings. The 'blues' moniker is probably more a marketing decision, albeit the neatly slotted inclusions of Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder, household names to affiacandos. This double CD, in excess of 2 hours, rings clear, and what voices are showcased! Youssour n'Dour, Baaba Maal, & Ali Farka Toure are possibly familiar names to western listeners. I'm pressed to discern any flaws, but my enduring favourites are two chantreuses, Aster Aweke & Dimi Mint Abba, who are less well known away from the European club circuit. Their vocals are truly extraordinary & will lead you to pursue their other work. Aster's contribution is from an early recording and fans should be aware that her subsequent recordings have a more westernised, disco/jazz setting; somewhat of a diminishment for my ears.
I was in Egypt and thought I had discovered a CD which wasn't available normally. So I was surprised to see it's listed here. I've listened to this album a thousand times and can sing N'Dour's "Sama Guent Gun" almost by heart (though I don't understand what it means).
You're depriving yourself of a true musical wonder if you pass up this one.
If you like authentic African Music, this is the CD you are looking for. 20 of the greatest musicians of the Continent will fill your heart with warmth and melody. A must get!!

I fell in love with Oumou Sangare, after hearing a Napster download, before Napster was shut down. Sorry, Recording industry, but you're as wrong as the courts. But for Napster, I'd never have found Sangare (like where do you hear her on the radio). I sought her thru the Web and found Ambiances du Sahara, Desert Blues. I'm totally in love with her and I bought all of her CD's. I can honestly say that but for Napster, this music would not have been purchased. Period.
Thus, I bought the first set of CD's (Desert Blues) and experienced wonder that increased as the sonic massage took me to spaces and places and heart. Truly, parts of my mind were stimulated that had not been touched in popular culture, whether it be jazz, rock or classical. And, then, I got Reves D'Oasis, (Desert Blues 2) not knowing what to expect.
The spiritual ambiance, the the purity and innocence and soulfulness of this music is something that speaks volume about peace and, ultimately, the love of music and the joy in its creation. The artistry you'll find on this collection of CD's is masterful, driving, rudimtary and refreshing. The music presented creates a yearning to return to it, again and again. I dig it. It taps into the fundamental rhythm of the human spirit and enabled me to feel the sweat of working in the fields, under the Sun and to experience the joy of prayer. I don't understand the languages, but I do understand the music. It speaks across cultural boundaries, time and genres.

he Dream Journey Continues Desert Blues 3 – Entre dunes et savanes It is 10 years since the label Network began recording artists from the Sahara, Sahel and neighbouring countries.
The journey to the serene side of African music has since been awarded international prizes, has been in the charts for months and is regarded as the “best-selling compilation of African music of all time” (fRoots). Many stars from the countries around the Sahara have allowed themselves to be inspired by the Desert Blues. For Desert Blues III, the editorial team has evaluated all the new releases of recent years and is now presenting the crиme of musicians from 10 countries and their highly emotional ballads: including, super-stars Khaled and Souad Massi from Algeria; Malouma “The Lady of the Blues” from Mauritania; the poignant voice of Dhafer Youssef from Tunisia; Gigi, the current queen of Ethiopian soul music; expressive music from Mali by Amadou and Marian, Ali Farka Tourй, Oumo Sangarй, Rokia Traorй with the Kronos Quartet; “Fula Flute” from Guinea; Tuareg music from West Africa by the successful group Tinariwen. And all of this is complemented by several completely new discoveries and first releases. A musical dream journey to the voices and vibes of the oases, the savannas, the caravans, the endless seas of sand and Tuareg campfires. Long-format double CD ..More than 2 hours playing time.
The third element "Desert Blues 3," is no exception to this rule and is proposing 28 new pieces have in common their obvious similarities to the blues. A good twenty different artists more or less known (Cheb Khaled, Souad Massi, Malouma, Dhafer Youssef, Amadou & Mariam, Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Oumou Sangare, Rokia Traorй, Kronos Quartet, Tinariwen or Gigi Queen ' Addis Ababa and the Ethiopian saxophonist Getatchew of Mekurya) Anyway, this compilation is full of beautiful voice, melodies envoutantes or magic full of smells of Africa ... For the Tuaregs, travel means "learning to live". It is also the sentiment that prevails in listening to these 2 magnificent CD. A compilation at any point remarkable!