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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.
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Mamadou Diabaté:
Courage
Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage.
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Various Artists:
The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2
Mysterious melodies from a disappearing thumb piano tradition of Southern Africa.
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Kiran Ahluwalia:
Aam Zameen: Common Ground
Indo-Canadian Songwriter Combines Folk Poetry with African Rock, Jazz and more
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Sona Jobarteh:
FASIYA
West African female kora virtuoso releases an album full of grace, warmth, and passion.
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Sia Tolno:
My Life
Kissi singer releases a strong second album full of pop-infused star power over songs of strife and triumph.
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Zieti:
Zemelewa
Eclectic blend of Afro-infused pop out of Cote d'Ivoire.
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Guelewar:
Halleli N Dakarou
Re-released and remastered live CD from this 80's experimental Senegambian outfit.
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Tinariwen:
Tassili
Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud.
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Los Rakas:
Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada
Oakland/Panamanian rappers -call it "Panabay"-- return with good results.
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Cheikh Lo:
Jamm
The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record.
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David Rudder:
Random Notes
Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.
All Reviews >>
Thione Seck
Daaly
Stern's Africa, 1997
Thione Seck is a long-standing Senegalese superstar who has been largely overlooked in the international hoopla over Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal and Ismael Lo. But this generous taste of Seck's contemporary work reveals him as their worthy peer. The music is slick and modern, but deep. Seck's 12-piece band, Raam Daan, crank out tough, hard-hitting
mbalax, the pop sound that has grown out of the Wolof people's complex and layered sabar drumming style. Crackling percussion lies at the heart of the sound, but guitars, horns and synthesizers build the rhythms into lush, pummeling pop. Seck's distinctive, reedy voice is the real treat. Riding over the rhythms in a state of mystic detachment, Seck sings with aching clarity and passion. Track after track, as the music shifts into ever-denser textures, Seck's phrases draw out languidly. He takes flight on gale-force breezes his band generates. It is unlike anything else in African pop. Even on a somewhat tacky rip-off of "Stand By Me," called "Momy," Seck comes through with convincing soul. These eleven tracks will leave many listeners wondering how Seck has managed to evade the Afropop pantheon of stars all these years.
Originally published in: Boston Phoenix