- Audio CD (5 Feb 2007)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Independiente
- ASIN: B000MCIBFW
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 19,637 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Prior to the release of Aman Iman: Water is Life, it seemed that few people had heard of Tinariwen. Formed in a refugee camp in the southern Sahara desert, this Touareg band have released two previous albums since 2001, garnering awards and critical acclaim around the world. But 2007's Aman Iman: Water is Life is probably their best album yet. It's certainly the most accessible, particularly to music fans who would never dream of delving into world music. The circular rhythms of the bass and drums lay down a simple--almost hypnotic--beat, which is then given a rougher edge by the electric riffs of the band's four lead guitarists. It sounds like an even more primal, stripped down blues taken back to its roots (assuming, that is, that the roots of blues were sung in French and Tamashek). Throughout, producer Justin Adams (taking a break from his regular work as Robert Plant's guitarist in Strange Sensation) commendably avoids the high-gloss polish that too often plagues world music albums. This is rebel music in the true sense of the term. With Aman Iman: Water is Life, Tinariwen have created a rock album that's unique, vibrant and wholly original. Few Western bands can boast the same. --Ted Kord
Review
As 'difficult' third albums go, this disc by the guitar-toting desert blues rebels sounds pretty damn effortless. Happily, producer and long term associate Justin Adams hasn't fixed what isn't broken, although there's an extra layer or two of guitars and a more expansive sound, which should pull in a wider audience. Tinariwen are still riding those rolling traditional Touareg grooves, decorated with disarmingly simple lead riffs and counter-riffs, backed by overlapping meshes of chopping rhythm guitars, hand claps and ululating choruses. Their pentatonic scales will instantly give any delta blues fan the goosebumps, and they make no secret of their 'Western' influences - Hendrix, Robert Plant et al. - who all drew on similar sources.
Like its predecessor Amassakoul, Aman Iman successfully balances the upbeat with the plaintive, and density of sound with sparseness - although nothing is without the wonderful trademark desert drone. To the newcomer, the fact that there are four lead vocalists won't be immediately obvious, as all have similar registers. But while Ibrahim Ag Alhabib delivers seven of the twelve tracks, it's Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni who wrote and sings the loping early highlight 'Mano Dayak' - the sort of thing Adams probably wishes he'd penned. In his atmospheric sleeve notes, the producer graphically recalls how Mohammed Ag Itlale 'Japonais' rejoined the group with 'Ahimana', a piece of spontaneous music-making typical of the way this band work as a fluid musical extended family. You can even hear the fire crackling and somebody's mobile (?) going off during the opening acoustic guitar strums of Ibrahim's lovely, trancey 'Ikyadarh Dim'. The slinky wah-wah guitar funk of 'Assouf' is how Sly Stone might have sounded if he'd had a stint in an Algerian refugee camp, lost a relative in a recent war and sung in Tamashek.
As with most contemporary albums, there are perhaps one or two too many tracks, but as a unified piece of work, Aman Iman sounds like an early highlight of 2007. It's gratifying that, like their compatriot and kindred spirit, the late great Ali Farka Toure, Tinariwen haven't deserted their desert home of Adrar des Iforas, and the music they make still evocatively reflects their love of it. A move to Paris or even the Malian capital Bamako - where this was recorded - would surely diminish what makes them special. --Jon Lusk
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
'Aman Iman:Water Is Life' surpasses Tinariwen's wonderful 2003 CD 'Amassakoul'(see my review). It was recorded at Bogolan studios in Bamako, Mali and produced by Justin Adams, currently the guitarist in Robert Plant's 'Strange Sensation' band. 'Aman Iman' has a tougher, more exciting sound than their previous two albums and is enhanced by the contribution of charismatic Saharan poet Mohammed Ag Itlale aka 'Japonais' on some tracks.
This Tuareg guitar band, who came together in 1982 in Libyan refugee camps, play mesmerising and uncompromising 'desert blues' born out of struggle for independence from the Malian government.
These 12 stirring,mysterious & timeless songs, mostly sung in Tamashek, deserve to reach the widest possible audience and 'Aman Iman' should be a strong contender for album of 2007.
This Tuareg guitar band, who came together in 1982 in Libyan refugee camps, play mesmerising and uncompromising 'desert blues' born out of struggle for independence from the Malian government.
These 12 stirring,mysterious & timeless songs, mostly sung in Tamashek, deserve to reach the widest possible audience and 'Aman Iman' should be a strong contender for album of 2007.
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This beats 10 types of you-know-what out of anything i've bought this year, including the Vieux Farka Toure CD, which has had a lot of playing. Once you've heard the infectious gritty guitar, surprisingly funky rhythms and captivating vocals you'll have to have this wherever you go. Don't even think about not buying it. Now, I'm off to buy their entire back catalogue...
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What can I say? If you like arabic voices, african rythmns, blues guitar and perfect melodies this is the album for you. Tinariwen's Aman Iman (Water Is Life) doesn't fit neatly into any category - apart from the obvious World Music - but will fit in well with any serious music collection. The band formed in 1982 in Moammar al-Qadhafi's camps of Tuareg rebels. They play in the Tishoumaren ("music of the unemployed") style, and sing mostly in the French and Tamashek languages. Their songs mostly concerning independence for their people from the government of Mali. They are said to be the first Tuareg band to use electric guitars. Excellent stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Tinariwen
Again, this band of musicians are amazing. I was turned on to them by my daughter who has a passion for Robert Plant- He has worked with them. Read more
Published 5 months ago by lylexx
World music? No. Just great music!
I'm no world music expert, but from time to time something comes along from outside the English speaking world that demands my attention. 'Aman Iman' is such an album. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2008 by M. G. Wilson
Good stuff
If, like me, you're starting out in the great savannas of world music and have seen this album flashed around on music sites, then can i say this is great stuff and much more... Read more
Published on 17 May 2008 by Ajg Savage
Bouncing Sahara rythms
Decidedly funky, a Jimmy Hendrix like lead guitar - you wouldn't believe Tinariwen comes straight out of the Sahara desert. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2008 by Christian Jongeneel
Excellent
Saw them play Womad a few years ago, but just picked up the new record. Excellent
Published on 22 Oct 2007 by Music Fan
Back to the roots
A gurgle, a sigh, a breath and the aching scorched-earthed voice of Tinariwen's assigned leader, Ibrahim,"Abaraybone," breaks into voice. Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2007 by David Johnson
Immense!
Never heard anything as good as this before. So new, so original, yet so traditional. I'm a World music lover, but this is brilliant. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2007 by K. Perry
Like a Breath of Fresh Air!
Having listen to the odd song from there past catalogue, I found there music so fresh, with it's blues overtones and north african sounds. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2007 by Mrs. A. R. Faulkner
Really, really good
A terrific dirty howling wind out of Africa. I can't understand a word of the songs, but suffice to say I wanted to grab an AK47 and jump on a pick-up truck to wherever these guys... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2007 by Clankylad
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