Toumastine
Niamey, Niamey, Niger | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
Far from fading into the desert blues background, their second record is a triumph. Assouf translates as nostalgia, longing, wilderness, and listening to this album, even those who have never been to the Sahara will share in Toumastine’s beautiful, raw longing for their desert home. - Songlines
It sounds bloody great! The recording is as near perfect as you can get (actually lot cleaner and better than most big productions I’ve heard this year), and for once I can actually hear the bass guitar, which nimbly probes or evokes Robbie Shakespeare’s languid like throbbing grooves across the album’s mirage melting atmospheres. - Dominic Valvona - Monolith Cocktail
As soon as I pressed the play button and started listening to the beautiful songs proposed by this band, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Their compositional style brings with it the colors and the charm of the desert. Music that makes you feel free and makes you travel with your imagination. - EDGAR ALLAN POETS – NOIR ROCK BAND
Discography
Assouf
November 19th, 2021
1. Tedoun Etran (When stars fade)
2. Eghacharan (The valleys)
3. Adja Tarha (No matter the struggle in love)
4. Mahedjan Man (How can the soul persist?)
5. Nezzay Kam Tenere (Knowing you, the desert)
6. Tarha Tasidwalt (Love is a harvest)
7. Hegh Tenerenin (In my desert)
Ténéré (feat. Tisdass)
April 2021
Lyrics by Anass Mohamed, Abdouramane Assauki & Kidjate Albadé
Music composed by Zouhaire Aroudaini & Mohamed Ataka
Tahnafet
February 2018
1. Aghregh Y'Allah (I call on God)
2. Talyat (Story of a girl)
3. Ag Adam (The sons of Adam)
4. Amidinin (Beward, my friend)
5. Tahnafet (Cries of affliction)
6. Nawah Ehad (All night)
7. Tamiditine (My girl)
8. Awa Nihaney (Through our eyes)
Photos
Bio
During a time of famine and unrest that has plagued the Sahara in recent decades, a group of Touareg youth found themselves together in Niamey, Niger. With roots in different regions and tribes spanning from Toumbouktou, Mali, to Agadez, Niger, they were united by a love of their cultural heritage as Tuaregs and their passion for music. Out of humble beginnings this group of friends joined together to form the band Toumastine which in Tamajek means “My identity”. Without the means to buy instruments they innovated by using car clutch cables as guitar strings and a thermos as their drum. The group came together and soon released their first album Tahnafet in early 2018. Inspired by various Tuareg and global artists such as Tinariwen, Carlos Santana, Bombino and Bob Marley, Toumastine’s music remains rooted in tradition carrying the mesmerizing riffs of Tuareg music, while incorporating modern rock styles chord progressions. Despite coming from different tribes, regions and dialects, Toumastine is bound by their friendship and their love of music. They dream to one day see their people united and free to return to and develop their land. As ambassadors of this vision they desire to pass on the important message of unity to their people and to make their culture known throughout the world through their music. Toumastine released their newest album “Assouf” in 2021. Aghali of the group Tamikrest says of this new album, “The new album from the group Toumastine is the new generation of Tuareg music. It is a new horizon of music.”
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