Salif Keita
M'Bemba
(Universal)
One of Africa's most respected musicians, Salif Keita recorded this, his eighth album - on which guest vocalists such as Buju Banton appear - in studios in his native Republic of Mali and in Paris. It was then re-mastered in New York.
As lyrics are almost entirely in West African Bambara, marking a return to Keita's roots, most listeners must tune in on a purely musical level. The albino singer and composer completes a cycle of experimentation with this release - having started with Mali-style music, progressing through an Afro-Cuban phase, taking on jazz collaborations with Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul, a brief foray into Latin rock with Carlos Santana and, most recently, bringing synths and electronic beats into the mix.
Working once again with another top Malian musician, Kante Manfila, on arrangements, on M'Bemba acoustic guitars and African strings lead the way. They combine with Keita's heartfelt singing and the sweet harmonies of female backing vocalists to quickly harness listener attention.