Selina

This is a highly enjoyable and very lively album that mixes several contemporary African musical styles. At the core is the highlife and traditional music of the Dagbamba culture of northern Ghana. But the thoroughly modern and slickly produced pan-African sound really defies categorisation. At times it has influences of South African pop, but will then suddenly suggest modern Mande and Wolof music, with instrumental passages that sound distinctly Afro-Cuban.

The geographic proximity of Mali and Senegal might explain the inevitable Mande influence and Fatau Keita cites his namesake Salif as his greatest musical mentor – even though they have never met. Fatau Keita's strong and confident vocal style actually sounds very similar to Alpha Blondy. His group, The Naawuni Bie Band are accomplished in both traditional and modern instruments. They clearly aim for a contemporary African music audience: swirling keyboards, Congolese-style guitars, a tight horn section and rippling percussion provide an energetic backing for Fatau Keita's fine vocals.