Aman

It's not often that you hear music from the Comoros, and this reissue of singer and gambusi (oud-like lute) player Nawal's second album is a treat. The album offers an insight into the historical international connections of the Indian Ocean islands. Subtle influences can be heard from Madagascar and East Africa to the Arabian peninsula and island neighbours such as La Réunion. Originally released in 2007, Aman is Nawal's dive into her Islamic, ‘Afro Sufi’ heritage, and Islamic themes are evident throughout, including the evocative zikr – rhythmic repetition of the name of Allah to induce trance – at the end of the piece ‘Kweli II’. It's one of several standout tracks: the haunting a capella ‘Dandzi’ stirs the soul; while on ‘Meditation’, Nawal's guitar, mbira (thumb piano) and bass create mystical musical clouds over a drone, giving off an endearingly old-school world music vibe.

It's a shame that it ends in a somewhat clunky remix by French DJ Click. With its synth sounds and four-to-the-floor beat, it really sticks out as harsh compared to the vibe created over the rest of the album. Otherwise, this is a very worthwhile listen.