Album Review: Songhoy Blues' 'Résistance'

2017
12 songs
Length: 44:59
Available to buy from Bandcamp

Songhoy Blues are a desert blues band from Timbuktu, Mali. Their second album ‘Résistance,’ which was released this year, is guitar-driven blues rock with elements of funk, jazz and psychedelic rock thrown into the mix.

Songhoy Blues comprises four members; Garba Touré, Aliou Touré, Oumar Touré and Nathanael Dembélé. The band was formed in Mali’s capital city of Bamako after guitarists Garba and Oumar, and singer Aliou (no relation) were exiled from their home in northern Mali by the jihadist group ‘Ansar Dine,’ who took control of the region and outlawed cigarettes, alcohol and music. Garba, Aliou and Oumar identify as Songhoy people, a West African ethnic group that was once-prominent, but is now marginalized by Islamist militias who’ve imposed an incredibly strict reading of Sharia rule. The band’s name is a hybrid of their ethnicity and the style of music (desert blues) they play.

Songhoy Blues are heavily influenced by western styles of music and name Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and BB King among their inspirations. The band also worked with Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ guitarist Nick Zinner on their 2015 debut album ‘Music in Exile.’

‘Résistance’ could be described as a ‘world music’ album, and the tracks ‘Ici Bas’ and ‘Badji’ certainly have world folk music appeal. But to label it ‘world music’ would be dismissive of it’s retro, psychedelic rock/funk essence and the myriad of other styles the band dabble in.

The album’s opening track ‘Voter’ is quintessential psychedelic rock, charged with whimsical, extended guitar solos. ‘Bamako’ is a beautiful acid jazz/ psychedelic rock hybrid, with an uber-funky bassline reminiscent of George Clinton’s Funkadelic. ‘Sahara,’ incorporates a bluesy swagger with some English lyrics that add an almost post-punk feel. ‘Sahara’ is one of the few tracks on the album on which English is heard; ‘Mali Nord,’ is another that includes English in the form of a rap, telling of the band’s longing to return to a home they have been banished from.

Songhoy Blues are as diverse in their use of sounds and instruments as they are in their exploration of styles. ‘Yersi Yadda’ shifts between synths and brass, and Santana style rhythm guitar. The lovely folk sounding ‘Hometown’ pairs banjo with strings. ‘Dabari’ is driven by a steady guitar rhythm, interspersed with chanting and some well placed crescendos.

Songhoy Blues effortlessly blend psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, blues and folk on ‘Résistance’ to create a groovy, smooth sounding album with some intricate guitar work and an old school sound. It’s a fantastic album from a very promising band.