Volume 5 cover

Volume 5

Recorded
Released

Dur Dur became veritable superstars in Somalia during the last years of Siad Barre’s despotic dictatorship, making their mark by blending traditional Somali rhythms with whatever was making people dance at the time. Their fifth album, reissued by Awesome Tapes from Africa, is a collection of soaring vocal melodies and funky tunes that combine “real” instruments with tinny synths and electronic percussion. Only a few years later the country would descend into civil war, Dur Dur’s members scattered all over the world, and the country’s rich musical history was almost forgotten. Thankfully, reissues like these are playing their part in bringing it back to light.

Megan Iacobini de Fazio

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