Mdou Moctar has released a new EP, called Niger EP Vol. 1.
Out today (August 24), the six-track release takes in recordings captured in Moctar’s native country of Niger. Among them are drum machine versions of the tracks ‘Imouhar’ (which clocks in at 13 minutes) and ‘Chismiten’ (which you can listen to above), as well as four additional live versions of tracks from across Moctar’s discography.
Mdou Moctar producer and bass player Mikey Coltun said in a statement: "In 2021, we started the Mdou Moctar mixtape series. 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. Volume 1 begin the series with a mix of recordings from 2017-2020, documenting the band at weddings, picnics, rehearsals, and even impromptu house concerts. A must have for any Mdou Moctar fan."
Niger EP Vol. 1 is out now on Matador.
