Dakar-Kingston

Baaba Maal claimed many years ago that the reggae rhythm was derived from the hypnotic, centuries-old sound of West African women pounding corn. Now his Senegalese compatriot Youssou N’Dour – having explored the links between West African and Egyptian music on his last release – tests the Dakar-Kingston connection on an album of 13 songs recorded in both cities, with additional sessions held in Paris. There’s a top line-up of musicians, as members of Youssou’s regular band are joined by a strong Jamaican contingent that includes Mutabaruka, Morgan Heritage, guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and producer/keyboard player Tyrone Downie, the former pair being veterans who played with Bob Marley & The Wailers. Sadly, however, the result is an album that delivers substantially less than the sum of these considerable parts. Trite and uninteresting songs such as ‘Marley, ‘Joker’ and ‘Black Woman’ don’t help. Nor does the fact that Youssou sings mostly in English, a language in which, to these ears, he has always sounded stilted. The arrangements, too, mostly by Downie, are unimaginative and the keyboards sound dated and cheesy. Best moments? Well they’re few and far between, but Africa Dream Again, which finds Youssou duetting with the lovely-voiced Nigerian singer Ayo, is probably the highlight of an uninspiring set.