Mdou Moctar is the name of the man and the name of the band. The musician, originally from Niger, sings and plays a vision of the Tuareg people. They are spread across Niger, Mali, and Nigeria. The sound here on Funeral for Justice, the group's new album, is more fiery and energetic than ever before. Perhaps that's a reaction to the state of our world?
The title cut races forward on the backs of group vocals and ferocious, Steve Vai-ish guitar licks. "Sousoume Tamacheq" more specifically addresses the struggles of the Tuareg people, while the down-temp "Imouhar" marries flashes of Hendrix-like squall with supple and subtle rhythmic explorations. This is one that suggests a free jazz aspect of the sound of Mdou Moctar. And all of the tunes on Funeral for Justice are played with intuition by this four-piece, and a sense of letting loose on instrument and voice to reach some kind of larger meaning.
Given all that, Funeral for Justice is the biggest sounding Mdou Moctar album to date. Nearly metal in some spots, this is a dream release for guitar-heads. Every cut features a solo or passage that demands awe in a listener, with some, like the pointed "Oh France", inspiring attention both mental and emotional from those within hearing range. What's being deployed on Funeral for Justice is both intellectual prowess in terms of subject matter focus, and expansive and bold instrumental prowess too. This is then the best Mdou Moctar album so far.
Funeral for Justice by Mdou Moctar is out now via Matador Records.
[Photo: Ebru Yildiz]