Recordings of Mauritania's first modern musical group, with some never-before released material. Formed in the 1960s, the Orchestre Nationale combined folk instrumentation with brass sections and electric guitars. Dreamy and hypnotic sessions are reminiscent of other post-colonial West African orchestras, but diverge with experiments in Mauritanian classical tradition. All but vanished into obscurity in the ensuing decades of military dictatorship, these recordings slated for destruction were salvaged during a 1978 coup d'état. Comes with extensive liner notes. A co-release with the mighty Sahel Sounds label. Old school "tip on' covers.