Troubles

Description

Troubles is the title of the new album by Dirtmusic – Chris Eckman (The Walkabouts) and Hugo Race (Fatalists/True Spirit/Bad Seeds) – recorded in Bamako, Mali, in September 2012, during a period of intense tension and tragic events of the crisis – hence its name, 'Troubles'. Originally a trio with Chris Brokaw (Come/Codeine), Dirtmusic released their eponymous album in 2007. Dirtmusic's encounter with the Tuareg band Tamikrest at the Festival au Désert was the catalyst for their second album, BKO (2010). Then, with Chris Brokaw's departure, Race and Eckman decided to go "back to the source," composing and recording an album from scratch in full collaboration with a selection of Malian artists. Dirtmusic arrived in Bamako with notebooks full of lyrics but no musical compositions or design strategy. Using musicians from Ben Zabo's and Samba Toure's bands as the rhythm section, Race and Eckman produced the sessions on the dance floor of Salif Keita's Club Moffou, inviting singers Ben Zabo and Samba Toure to join them, as well as Virginie Dembele (from the Rokia Traore ensemble), rising star Aminata Wassidje Traore, and soku-master Zoumana Tereta. Inspired by the collision of West African rhythms, digital wizardry, and rock'n'roll, Troubles is a unique musical journey with sharp edges. Troubles is only the first volume of these sessions; the second volume is in the pipeline and is expected to be released in early 2014 on Glitterbeat.