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  KG Omulo: Ayah Ye!: Moving Train
  
  A synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds from this inventive, young singer/songwriter.
• 
  Various Artists: Chief Boima Presents: Lone Stars - Hipco and Gbema
  
  
• 
  Mamadou Diabaté: Courage
  
  Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage.
• 
  Various Artists: The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2
  
  Mysterious melodies from a disappearing thumb piano tradition of Southern Africa.
• 
  Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground
  
  Indo-Canadian Songwriter Combines Folk Poetry with African Rock, Jazz and more
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  M.anifest: Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
  
  
• 
  Sona Jobarteh: FASIYA
  
  West African female kora virtuoso releases an album full of grace, warmth, and passion.
• 
  Sia Tolno: My Life
  
  Kissi singer releases a strong second album full of pop-infused star power over songs of strife and triumph.
• 
  Zieti: Zemelewa
  
  Eclectic blend of Afro-infused pop out of Cote d'Ivoire.
• 
  Guelewar: Halleli N Dakarou
  
  Re-released and remastered live CD from this 80's experimental Senegambian outfit.
• 
  Tinariwen: Tassili
  
  Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud.
• 
  Los Rakas: Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada
  
  Oakland/Panamanian rappers -call it "Panabay"-- return with good results.
• 
  Cheikh Lo: Jamm
  
  The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record.
• 
  David Rudder: Random Notes
  
  Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.

All Reviews >>

Cheikh Lô has done it again. The vanguard Senegalese singer's second international release fulfills the promise of his much heralded debut. Lô's metier is a personalized blend of Afro-Cuban sensuousness and the tough attitude of Senegalese pop, especially the percussion-driven mbalax style. Acoustic sounds, starting with Lô's ubiquitous acoustic guitar, keep the soundscape light, but the music seethes with restless drive and Lô's vocal performances never miss. On "M'Beddemi" he crows like a salsero. On the album's funkiest track, "Bambay Gueej," he channels Smokey Robinson and Nigeria's late musical icon Fela Kuti. Elsewhere, he wails with the force of his famous countrymen Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour, who has co-produced this release. Aside from great arranging instincts and a mean set of pipes, Lô can write. His melodies are strong and natural. They manage to steer clear of the old formulas without seeming forced or clever. A guest spot from Malian Wassoulou star Oumou Sangare on "Bobo-Dioulasso," a moody invocation of Lo's hometown in Burkina Faso, is a plus. Now we know. Lô's 1996 calling card Ne la Tiass was no fluke. Lô claims a spot in the top echelon of African pop.
Contributed by Banning Eyre
Originally published in: Boston Phoenix