Babani Koné

I'm always wary when I read that an artist wants to ‘broaden their audience’ and make an ‘international’ album – and that's what we have here. Babani Koné is a great singer and a griot, but not exactly a global celebrity , although she will be known to some for her appearance on that glorious Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal album, Musique de Nuit. Now she aims squarely for the crossover market by teaming up with producer Liam ‘Doctor L’ Farrell, best known for the Mbongwana Star project and Bantou Mentale, who adds his electronica to the classy backing of balafon, ngoni, flute, guitar and percussion. The result is decidedly mixed.

Personally, I prefer the tracks where the electronica is applied more sparingly, as on the ngoni-backed ‘Djeliya’, or the thoughtful ‘Fissiriwale’, a meditation on war and spirituality, written in response to the terrorist attack on Bamako on which Koné sings over an acoustic riff, backed by fine flute playing from Cheick Diallo. As for the rest, ‘Fimani Yo’ is cluttered with clattering and rumbling effects, and the praise song ‘Djatigui Baro’ is a funky electro-shuffle. Recommended because of Koné's great voice – but not one for the purists.