Big Blue Desert

It is a measure of Mehdi Haddab's intensity and generosity that the oud player conjures an imaginary galaxy in the space of nine mainly instrumental tracks. Followers of his rather see-saw career have become accustomed to his unanticipated trajectories: the intense exchanges in his DuOud guise, which exploited relatives of his Oriental lute to the full. Ekova and DuOud were both groups that were integral to Haddab's careful construction of an ongoing musical project in which the traditional fretless oud was electrified. He has incorporated traditional Berber, Arab and Armenian influences into his own formative influences from the likes of Metallica and King Crimson.

A decade ago, Haddab put together his Speed Caravan group, flooring critics and public alike with their debut album Kalashnik Love. It had Peter Gabriel saluting Haddab as the most creative artist of his generation. Now the French Tunisian has turned to some of Dakar's best musicians for further inspiration. The combinations are compelling listening – hard-driving and unremitting at times, yet open to the inventiveness of Senegal's most seasoned percussionists, complemented by guitar grooves from Pape Oumar Ngom or the riveting singing of Pape Diouf. It is Diouf's singing and that of Hindi Zahra that are perhaps pointers to the future; one in which Haddab's maturing group can conceive of grooves to fit vocalists from every horizon.