Issa Bagayogo
(Six Degrees)
Issa Bagayogo's fourth crossover album is an eclectic affair, but its spirit -- and most importantly, its groove -- is unmistakably African. The Malian singer and n'goni player, dubbed "Techno-Issa" in his homeland, collaborates here with French producers Yves Wernert and Phillipe Berthier, whose embellishments suggest a jazz lounge more than a dance club.
That mostly works fine, since the relaxed vibe suits Mali Koura's interlocked, insinuating patterns of vocals, hand drums, n'goni (an oblong lute) and balafon (a cousin of the xylophone). The producers sometimes add a horn section, boosting the propulsion of such standouts as "Sebero," which manages to be both easygoing and insistent at the same time. One explanation for that paradox is Bagayogo's warm baritone, which is as serene as it is dominant. While Wernert and Berthier have manipulated this music, Bagayogo always sounds as if he's in command.
Some purists have condemned Techno-Issa's Franco-African experiments, and the grumblers are not entirely misguided; this album does include licks that are pure fromage. But those cheesy piano, guitar or sax parts are quickly swallowed into the gently rollicking, predominantly percussive whole. Such loping rambles as "Dibi" include timbres you'd never hear on an Ali Farka Toure track, yet there's never any doubt that Bagayogo's music is essentially Malian.
Standout Tracks: "Sebero," "Dibi" MARK JENKINS
