Almost as big as the USA, the vast Sahara spans Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Despite being the hottest desert on earth, it is home to millions of people whose diverse cultures and traditions create a vivid cultural landscape. This Rough Guide features the region's best-loved artists as well as exploring beyond the arid sandscapes to reveal hidden Saharan sounds. Bonus CD: Introducing Mamane Barka As a nomad of the Toubou tribe, Malam Mamane Barka is the indisputable son of the desert and the world's only remaining master of the biram. He maintains the tradition single-handedly, bringing the boat-shaped instrument to world's attention with his own unique blend of desert blues.