Oyo

The diva from Benin returns and as if to announce the fact, Oyo begins with the sustained solo cry of ‘Zelie’, Angélique Kidjo's high, clear and powerful voice soaring free. On the cusp of 50, Kidjo is looking back to the roots of her inspiration when growing up in Cotonou, principally the American soul and funk of artists like Aretha Franklin and James Brown.

As with Kidjo's 2007 Grammy award-winning album Djin Djin, Oyo features collaborations with major international artists. Contributions here come from soul-man John Legend, on a suitably full-blooded version of Curtis Mayfield's ‘Move On Up,’ and Dianne Reeves, on the gospel-tinged ‘I've Got Dreams To Remember’ by Otis Redding. Kidjo has no problem moving from American to African classics. Having led the celebrations of Miriam Makeba's life at London's Barbican Centre last year, she includes two songs made famous by ‘Mama Afrika,’ including a soulful rendition of ‘Lakuthn Llanga’. Further highlights are a brief but inspired Benin traditional song ‘Atcha Houn’, an Indian movie tune given an irresistible West African makeover and ‘Afia’ a Kidjo original built around Brazilian grooves.

Despite the mesh of styles and tributes, Oyo hangs together surprisingly well, a credit to Kidjo's African identity and international outlook – she is, after all, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Her fantastic band, which also contains some big names (Christian McBride on bass and Benin-born Lionel Loueke on guitar) offers strong support, with a full-fat sound and subtle injection of African flavours. The result is a bright, joyous and accessible album from an African superstar in her prime.