Malian band Songhoy Blues is gearing up to release their fourth album, Héritage, on the 17th of January 2025 via Transgressive Records. The album explores an acoustic variation of their “desert blues” sound, featuring original tracks alongside new interpretations of Malian classics. The latest single extracted from the album, “Toukambela,” reinterprets a piece by Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti from the iconic 1970 Anthologie De La Musique Malienne.

Both “Toukambela” and the album Héritage pay tribute to the legendary musicians of Mali’s history, celebrating the artistic legacy left by their ancestors. This collection offers a rich tapestry of rhythms and melodies that embody the spirit of Malian culture, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in its dynamic heritage.

Since debuting in 2013 and quickly earning the nickname “Timbuktu Punk” for their vigorous stage presence, Songhoy Blues has become a prominent voice in Malian music. Their work typically melds life’s narratives and love in Mali with rock rhythms, gritty vocals, and shimmering guitars, combined with traditional five-note scales. Héritage delves deeper into these elements, emphasising softer grooves and acoustic nuances distinct from their previous work’s heavier sounds.

Recorded in Bamako with co-producer Paul Chandler at Remote Records Studio and Studio Moffou, Héritage features a rich ensemble of traditional instruments like the kora, soku, and kamal n’goni. These are complemented by guest vocalists and textured with diverse musical influences such as takamba, wassoulou, Mande griot music, and Senufo rhythms. 

You can stream and listen to “Toukambela” HERE