Sahel Sounds is an American record label, based in Portland, Oregon which specializes in music from the southern part of the Sahara desert.

Sahel Sounds was founded by Christopher Kirkley, a self-proclaimed "amateur ethnomusicologist",[1] who traveled to Africa in 2008 after hearing a CD by Afel Bocoum.

[2] When he returned, he started the label, which releases albums frequently recorded by Kirkley in the field.

[1] One of the artists featured on these compilations was Mdou Moctar, whom Kirkley convinced afterward to star in a remake of the Prince film Purple Rain.

[4] As an effort to steer clear of cultural appropriation, he claims complete transparency about finances, and divides all profits equally between the group and the label.