Tama

Most bands, whether in the western rock tradition or in African music, are built around the concept of a leader - one strong character who is the main writer, singer and spokesman and who dominates proceedings so that the other band members are little more than hired guns.

The beauty of Tama is that there is no single leader but four equally accomplished musicians and songwriters with their own contrasting but complimentary voices. “As a group it’s totally democratic and open,” explains guitarist Sam Mills.

"Tama is a kind of space where the four of us can come together from different cultures and traditions and express ourselves." Sam Mills

“Tama is a kind of space where the four of us can come together from different cultures and traditions and express ourselves. It’s a band of distinctive individual personalities but everybody contributes to the realisation of each other’s songs.”

As the name ‘Tama’ (a Bambara word meaning ‘to walk’) suggests, the band’s approach was to collect years of travelling memories rather than trying to represent or revive a traditional folklore.

Tama

Guinea-Bissau, Mali, United Kingdom

Further reading

The Blind Boys of Alabama to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Americana Music Association

The cermony takes place on 18 September at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

GRIT wins Modern Scottish Classic Award

The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has today announced Martyn Bennett’s final studio a...

Exploring Colombian artist Savan’s music inspired by Yagé medicine ceremonies

The new Real World X release is an eight-track aural journey to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Swaken Lyrics

Bab L' Bluz second album, Swaken, released in May 2024. These are the song lyrics in English, French...