CD Reviews: Tinariwen

With unrest ruling out a return to the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali that is their home, the collective of Tuareg singers, songwriters and musicians that is Tinariwen this time based itself near Joshua Tree in California's Mohave Desert for the recording of a fifth album.

In every other respect it is business as usual, though there is an especially subdued and blissful character to the band's drone-based tunes.

Hand drums, claps and coiling guitars swim in the inviting air of warm production but the chanting vocals speak of difficult times, calling on Africans to rise from lethargy.