Mdou Moctar streams new version of Chismiten

(Image credit: Press)

Nigerien guitar genius Mdou Moctar has released a new drum machine version of Chismiten.

Originally the opening track from last years Afrique Victime, the new version is taken from the upcoming Niger EP Vol. 1 which has just been released through Matador Records.

The Niger EP Vol. 1 also features the previously unreleased 13-minute drum machine and electric guitar epic Imouhar, four live versions of songs from across Moctar’s albums Afrique Victime, Afelan and Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai (translating to “Rain the Color of Blue with A Little Red In It”, the soundtrack to Moctar’s Tuareg-language film remake of Prince’s Purple Rain).

“In 2021, we started the Mdou Moctar mixtape series," explains producer/bassist Mikey Coltun. "These releases compiled field recordings, cellphone voice memos, interview clips, conversations captured in the tour van, and blown-out board recordings from shows all over the world. As a continuation of those mixtapes, we present the Niger EPs, which examine the roots of the Mdou Moctar band.

"Early Mdou recordings were contained on cassettes, though the humble tape was soon replaced by the quick and easy facility of cellphone technology. Long bus rides are common in West Africa. On one of these rides, you might be seated next to a stranger and ask, 'What are you listening to?' Then a song exchange would begin over Bluetooth. This is a very real way artists found their music distributed far from home.

"In that vein, the Niger EP series features solely recordings taped in Mdou Moctar's home country of Niger. Vol. 1 begin the series with a mix of recordings from 2017-2020, documenting the band at weddings, picnics, rehearsals."

Mdou Moctar played his last UK performance for 2022 at Green Man festival last weekend, and embarks on a US tour this evening (August 24). Full dates below.

Get Niger EP Vol. 1.

Mdou Moctar: Niger EP Vol. 1

1. Imouhar (Drum Machine Version)
2. Chismiten (Drum Machine Version)
3. Sibidoul (Live)
4. Afelan (Live)
5. Layla (Live)
6. Afrique Victime (Live)

Mdou Moctar US tour 2022

Aug 24: Portland Revolution Hall, OR
Aug 25: Vancouver Rickshaw Theatre, BC
Aug 26: Port Townsend Thing Festival, WA
Aug 27: San Francisco The Fillmore, CA
Aug 28: Pasadena This Ain't No Picnic, CA
Aug 31: Pioneertown Pappy & Harriet's, CA
Sep 01: Tucson Hoco Festival, AZ
Sep 03: Nelsonville Music Festival, OH
Sep 06: Chicago Thalia Hall, IL

Tickets are on sale now.

Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.