Tinariwen – Aman Iman: Water Is Life (2xLP)

Tinariwen is a critically acclaimed Tuareg group from the Sahara who play a guitar-driven branch of Malian music known as "Tishoumaren", a percussive, rock-oriented desert blues that often addresses social and political issues. The GRAMMY Award-winning collective continues to be a highly acclaimed international act, performing at major festivals such as WOMAD, Glastonbury and Coachella.

Formed in 1979 by Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, a Malian refugee, the group came together in the early 1980s in Colonel Gaddafi's Libyan rebel camps when each of the musicians had been forced into involuntary military service by their nomadic lifestyles. Surrounded by a displaced nation of like-minded people, Tinariwen forged a new style of music by trading in their traditional lutes and shepherd's flutes for electric guitars and drums. Their music deals with themes such as political awakening, problems of exile, oppression of their people and demands for sovereignty. In a region without a postal or telephone system, their cassettes soon became a voice of rebellion and a rallying point for the disenfranchised nation.

In 2006, Tinariwen recorded their third album "Aman Iman: Water Is Life", which was released internationally via Independiente Records in 2007. The album was produced by their longtime partner Justin Adams and featured the vocals and guitar of founding member Mohammed Ag Itlale. The successful balance of lilting and plaintive vocals, embellished with disarmingly simple lead riffs and counter riffs, backed by overlapping weaves of chopping rhythm guitars, handclaps and jubilant choruses, earned the band worldwide acclaim and helped launch their first world tour.

Now the first vinyl re-release of the critically acclaimed third album by the Sahrawi Tuareg group Tinariwen, "Aman Iman: Water Is Life" has been reissued on 180 gram heavyweight black vinyl.