La Guinéenne

Youssou N’Dour might be still defined by ‘Seven Seconds’, his 1994 smash hit with Neneh Cherry, had he not gone on to produce a body of work that marked him out as an artist willing to pursue new ideas while managing to stay accessible. The Guinean kora player and vocalist Mory Kanté struck gold in 1987 with ‘Yéké Yéké’-one of Africa’s biggest ever sellers and a much remixed European number One – and has done a lot of good stuff since. Unlike Youssou, however, if you mention Kanté’s name, or see a photo of the elfin Kanté in his trademark white suit, it’s ‘Yéké Yéké’ that immediately comes to mind.

Not to worry. Kanté has applied ‘Yéké Yéké’s winning formula to La Guinéenne, his 11th studio album and his first since 2004’s Sabou. Here are infectious polyrhythms and high soaring vocals; catchy choruses and shimmering strings; punchy horns and a big, big sound. Opener ‘Yarabini’ – which may or may not been inspired by Youssou’s ‘Set’ – sets a rollicking, feelgood pace. The recording is superb – the open djembé playing in ‘Oh Oh Oh’ is as crisp as it gets – and the vibe both rootsy and forward-looking.

Having returned to live in Guinea after years in Paris, Kanté’s been a mentor to a new generation: the album’s lyrics in French and Bamana offer advice, encourage hard work and underline the importance of tradition. On the title-track, Kanté sings as if he’s well aware he’s back on form.