Bombino - "Ayo Nigla"

Photo by Ron Wyman

We've gotten used to songs from Nigerian guitar hero Omara "Bombino" Moctar showing off his more fiery sign, filled with some of the most mind-melting guitar around. On his latest, "Ayo Nigla," Bombino proves he can blow our minds with a more laid back, acoustic approach. The new song is more on the folk side, but still includes his trademark guitar style. It may be a more quiet and intimate side of the guitar superstar, but it's still pure Bombino. This is the kind of song that can mesmerize you just with guitar, and it's a must listen for all music fans.

Bombino says of his new song:

“This song is dedicated to a girl that I loved too much and to whom I had declared my passion but went ignored. I lived with this love in solitude, deep in my soul.”

You can watch the video for "Ayo Nigla" below. Sahel is due out September 15 on Partisan Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Bombino, check out his website.

Bombino - "Aitma"

Photo by Ron Wyman

Guitar luminary and Tuareg folk hero Omara "Bombino" Moctar is back with a new single. "Aitma" continues Bombino's streak of amazing guitar songs in his own style. It's a style of playing that is endlessly hypnotic and is nearly impossible to not be sucked in completely. "Aitma" is a song of guitar heroics that is accentuated by his vocals which discuss the plight facing the Tuareg people. This is the kind of song that is going to captivate you whether you can translate the lyrics or not. (The video below has the lyrics in English.) Bombino creates songs with universal appeal through sheer talent and creativity.

You can watch the video for "Aitma" below. Sahel is due out September 15 on Partisan Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Bombino, check out the artist's website.