Mauritanian griot and sonic visionary Noura Mint Seymali makes a commanding return with “Guéreh,” her first single and video in nine years. This mesmerising track offers a tantalising glimpse into her forthcoming album, ‘Yenbett,’ due November 7th on Glitterbeat. Co-produced by longtime drummer Matthew Tinari and Mdou Moctar’s bassist/producer Mikey Coltun, “Guéreh” is a masterclass in reinterpreting tradition through a contemporary lens.
“Guéreh” itself is a wedding dance song, a hidden gem from Mauritanian popular memory, originally championed by the legendary blind tindit (Moorish lute) player Jeich Ould Abba of Atar. Seymali, alongside Jeich Ould Chighaly on guitar and Jeich Ould Baddu on tindit, breathes new life into this classic, honouring its lineage while infusing it with her band’s signature kaleidoscopic sound, a testament to the enduring power of music born from the heart of the Sahara.
The accompanying video, a collaboration with the community of Atar, captures the collective joy of dance. As Tinari explains, the entire town was invited to participate, creating a “relived community interpretation of an old classic.” This communal spirit is echoed in the lyrics, a hallmark of the griot tradition, encouraging a past dancer named Souleyman to “get into the groove.”
‘Yenbett,’ meaning “it grows” in Hassaniya Arabic, reflects the album’s core ethos. This record is the culmination of years of deep experimentation, born from carrying her music from desert khaima tents to global stages. It’s a testament to the enduring strength and evolving nature of the Moorish griot tradition as a living, contemporary practice.
Uniquely, ‘Yenbett’ was primarily recorded at home in Nouakchott, allowing for the inclusion of new voices and instruments from Seymali’s community. Yet, the album’s foundation remains solid with Jeich Ould Chighaly, Ousmane Toure (bass), and Matthew Tinari (drums). Experimental interludes, born from late-night sessions, weave through the tracks, adding a raw, honest depth to the band’s unaffected performances.
From her recent appearances at Le Guess Who? (2024) and GlobalFest (2023), where she recorded her NPR Tiny Desk session, it’s clear Seymali is ready to reclaim the global stage.
Bandcamp: https://noura-mint-seymali.bandcamp.com/track/gu-reh
Stream: https://idol-io.ffm.to/guereh