Tinariwen literally means 'deserts' in the Tamasheq language spoken by the Tuareg people of Timbuktu. Their music lends itself to a sense of yearning. It is a series of love letters written about the land they were banned from by Islamic extremists. Tinariwen sound like no other band and are the quintessence of what world music means. Their songs, all relatively short, are sung as a chant with the lead singer often joined by two or three harmonising backing vocals. On their latest record, Elwan, they sound as immediate as ever, bursting with ideas and musical themes that throw influences from blues, folk, rock and their local tishoumaren into an irresistible melting pot. Their concert is also an amazing visual experience - they have a powerful stage presence, shrouded in traditional robes and tagelmust turban-veils.