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Tinariwen, Sophie Hunger 

Nomadic Sub-Sahara revolutionaries Tinariwen make hypnotic desert blues notable for its syncopated rhythms, droning Middle Eastern elements, gang singing and spooky guitar slink reminiscent of a sun-baked Santana. Created with as many as six guitarists, their music moves in a meandering sway with the loose-limbed expansiveness of the Dead. Members of the Tuareg people who have long been persecuted in Mali, the group recorded rebel music spiritually akin to Bob Marley that spread on tapes throughout the region before Tinariwen made its official debut with 2001's The Radio Tisdas Sessions. Last year, they signed with Anti-, a U.S. label that encouraged them to experiment. The result is Tassili, on which they explore their music on acoustic rather than electric instruments and collaborate with guitar impresario Nels Cline (Wilco), TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe, and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Those guests help fashion a haunted, mesmerizing roots amble that's exotic yet primal. Malone called it "one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had." —Chris Parker