Tuareg - Tuareg Music Of The Southern Sahara Vinyl LP

In the 21st century, the music of the Tuareg people—a diverse group spread across the Sahara, including Mali, Niger, and beyond—has reached an unprecedented international audience. Artists such as Bombino, Mdou Moctar, Tinariwen, and Les Filles de Illighadad have infused the hypnotic, repetitive qualities of the region's traditional music into dynamic, full-band rock, introducing countless new listeners to these desert-rooted sounds.

Tuareg Music of the Southern Sahara, originally released on Folkways in 1960, traces the origins of these styles, highlighting ecstatic vocal performances accompanied by sparse instrumentation. These raw, extemporaneous recordings provide a rare window into musical traditions dating back hundreds of years, capturing the diverse expressions of many tribes and communities across the Sahel.

This reissue is part of the Smithsonian Folkways Vinyl Reissue Series, which shines a light on gems from the label’s extensive catalog and revisits some of its most iconic and influential releases. It is being released alongside other international classics, including Gambian Griot Kora Duets by Alhaji Bai Konte, Dembo Konte, and Ma Lamini Jabote, and Calypso Travels by Lord Invader.