Album Review: Imarhan - Imarhan

Imarhan is an unexpected treat for anyone who likes their African desert music to be instantaneously danceable.

Hailing from Algeria — just across the border from Mali where singer Sadam has a cousin in the celebrated band Tinariwen — Imarhan's carefree grooves are not a million miles from those of Songhoy Blues; be it in the hazy form of Assossamagh or their peach of a calling card title track and its twangy guitar runs. Imarhan is loaded with infectious funk and strong hooks that are winners in any language.