Ishumar (Mali-Niger Touaregs)

The word Ishumar is derived from the French "chômeur,” meaning unemployed, and is a slang label applied to young Tuaregs fleeing Saharan drought and war for the cities of Algeria. The desert music of the Tuaregs is born of revolution (the nomadic people fought many years for independence, mainly from Niger and Mali), and so it’s not terribly surprising that their guitar-driven music is colored with American blues and even rock ’n’ roll. The best known of these bands, Tinariwen, was the first to blend the electric guitar with traditional music, and while Tinariwen enjoys recognition in the U.S. and Europe, other groups have followed with less fanfare. This collection highlights the artists best known for “Ishumar Music” (including Tinariwen), and their songs of war, exile, politics and love are sung with a passion known only to those who have lived the life. It’s an awesome, beautiful collection — utterly transportive and contemplative — and even casual fans of musique global will find it to be a must-have treasure.