Listen to “Saharan Hendrix” Mdou Moctar’s Mesmerizing "Ibitilan" Recording

Mdou Moctar and his four-piece band – comprising rhythm guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, bassist/producer Mikey Coltun and drummer Souleymane Ibrahim – have been blowing audiences away with their unique brand of amped up Tuareg folk and desert blues.

This year’s sold-out shows in Europe and North America have elicited a slew of rave reviews, with Moctar’s head-turning electric guitar pyrotechnics drawing comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Prince and Eddie Van Halen.

Following the release of the Niger guitarist’s critically acclaimed 2021 album Afrique Victime, Matador Records put out a digital Deluxe Edition with nine previously unreleased tracks in February.

And with fans eager for more, Moctar digitally released Vol. 1 of his two-part Niger EP series in August.

Featuring live and alternate versions of songs spanning the band’s discography and recorded in their native Niger, Niger EP Vol. 2 will be released digitally on October 25.

A physical release date for both EPs on limited vinyl has been announced for March 10, 2023.

A preview of Vol. 2 – a live recording of the track “Ibitilan” – is available to listen to now.

First appearing on 2019’s Blue Stage Session, this version of “Ibitilan” captures the band’s famous live energy in its rawest form.

“Ibitilan is a love song,” explained Coltun. “Mdou sings about his love for a woman, comparing her to a beautiful valley with a stream running through it, how her skin is a yellow flower and her smile is like lightning.

“This particular recording was done in Agadez in 2017 at a wedding. Mdou and I had played three weddings a day for about a month and a half on that trip. It was like bootcamp. I loved it.

“Ibitilan is one of Mdou's oldest songs and is covered by pretty much every Tuareg guitarist. We've played versions of this song lasting over 20 minutes. It's definitely one of my favorites to play!”

Pre-order the limited-edition vinyl and pre-save the EPs here.