Guitars from Agadez, Vol. 3: Music of Niger

Personnel: Bibi Ahmed, Koudede (vocals, guitar); Mohamed Archinguel (drums).Liner Note Author: Hisham Mayet.Recording information: Niamey, Niger (03/2010).Editor: Hisham Mayet.Photographer: Hisham Mayet.Receiving some recognition from their earlier releases (also on Sublime Frequencies), the Nigerian guitar outfit Group Inerane have built a following, holding the standard for the "third wave" of trance guitar from Niger, following megagroups like Tinariwen and lesser-known bands within the Tuareg areas. Since their previous recordings, Inerane lost a guitarist (to the Tuareg rebellions in northern Niger) and added a respected player as his replacement. The result is a still-grandiose understanding of the elements of trance music. The guitars drone endlessly, but vary their sound as they buzz and pluck. This is music that is at once ecstatic and groove-laden, exotic and personal. The album starts out in fine territory, with a relatively traditional item amped up for modern taste, heavy