Soul Tropical

The grandson of West Indians from Saint-Kitts and Martinique and now resident in Marseilles, Walters continues his exploration of Afro-Caribbean styles on his third solo album, although here many of the tracks are heavily laced with American soul. Opener ‘Gimme Love’ features the Ghanaian rapper K.O.G but musically draws on the soft, sensual sound of 1970s Philly.

‘No One’ is a disco update with a hint of Sly and the Family Stone. On the sultry ‘Toxic Tropic’ Walters’ Creole vocals duet with the voice of the London-based Trinidadian poet Anthony Joseph. The Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho graces ‘Di Yo’, a lovely melody marred by a dull and repetitive drum machine but once Walters has stopped trying to appeal to a mainstream pop audience, the second half of the album is far more satisfying. ‘Vansé Carnival’ is a thrilling salsa dance tune; ‘An Lot Soley’ is a gorgeously shimmering, swaying acoustic mélange of guitar, flute and Ballaké Sissoko's kora before the album ends with Ballaké and cellist Vincent Segal creating more acoustic magic for Soul Tropical on the haunting ‘Klè’.