Na Drê

There are several distinctive modern musical styles unique to the Ivory Coast, but generally the country is known as a melting pot of African musical influences. The Ivorian singer Dobet Gnahoré is a visually striking performer who fuses musical genres from across Africa with more than a hint of jazz and pop styling. In a similar fashion to Sally Nyolo, Zap Mama or Angélique Kidjo she is one of the new breed of African females who are taking a little bit of African tradition and mixing it with a heap of modern ideas. On Na Drê, her fourth album, she sings in several Ivorian languages, a little English and French, alongside a couple of songs in Congolese Lingala, and a couple others in Haitian Creole.

Every track on this release is certainly a pleasant listening experience, albeit slightly over¬sentimental in places. However, there is a certain lack of identity and overall musical cohesion; this ultimately leaves a slightly empty feeling in this reviewer. That said, it is an impeccably performed album with some fine instrumentation backing Dobet Gnahoré’s unquestionably attractive and confident singing.