Album Review: Bombino - Azel

Bombino (real name Omara Moctar) is the most well-known of the Tuareg guitarists, thanks in part to 2013's Nomad, produced by rock'n'roll keeper of the flame Dan Auerbach.

Awful title and cover notwithstanding, the record was his most accessible, introducing many all over the world to the blues and rock-influenced guitar music of the Tuareg people of the Sahara. While Azel (meaning "root" or "stem" in Bombino's native Tamasheq; all of his lyrics are in his mother tongue) does top-end the faster electric tracks, it isn't as loud as its predecessor. Although more and more we catch Bombino jamming on his acoustic, this is some of the most vibrant 'rock' music in years.