If It's Too Loud...

I first stumbled on Bombino at the 2013 Newport Folk Festival. If I remember correctly, I had carved out that time to eat as I wasn't familiar with any of the artists playing that timeslot. Instead of eating, I was sucked into Bombino's performance and vowed to see him again as soon as I could. Unfortunately, it took ten years, but it was worth the wait. Playing with no opener, Bombino took the stage with a five piece band and played the first few songs with an acoustic guitar. It was a perfect way to ease the audience into his style of Tuareg music that is much closer to folk. After those three songs, the electric guitar came out, and the show truly took off. His guitar playing is completely mesmerizing. Every moment of every song was perfect and spellbinding, but the instrumental parts where Bombino got to just play guitar were absolutely transcendent. It makes zero sense that he doesn't get listed as one of the truly great guitarists of today, because I've seen very ...

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 .

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 .

Photo by Noemi Monu Omara "Bombino" Moctar hasn't released any new music since 2018's Deran , but the guitar master is back with "Tazidert." The Toureg folk hero has this unique sound that is all his. Hailing from Niger, he infuses African rhythms with modern rock and folk, and plays one of the most hypnotizing guitars out there. The guitar work on "Tazidert" is just mesmerizing. It's the kind of music that you aren't quite sure if it makes you want to dance or just sit with your mouth agape just taking the entire thing in. This is world music for those who don't think they appreciate world music. Omara Moctar says of his new song: “These are tips for being good, you have to be patient, the world has changed a lot but everyone has their destiny.” You can watch the video for "Tazidert" below. The song will be included on a forthcoming album. For more on Bombino, check out the artist's website .