Iconic Senegal singer Baaba Maal’s The Traveller is a gorgeous 8-tracker that effortlessly dips into a number of genres and styles.
A collaboration with Swedish producer (and member of London-based Afropop act The Very Best) Johan Hugo Karlberg, it offers an intriguing fusion of west African beats, hip hop, rock and pop.
From opener ‘Fulani Rock’, with its urgent cry and looped vocals over frenetic drumming, the music has a captivating quality. Maal then moves easily to the sublime and dreamy stylings of ‘One Day’ and ‘Kalaajo’, before dialling up again: ‘Lampenda’ is an anthemic rock anthem that builds to an impressive, crashing crescendo. Finally, he finishes with two English language social commentaries titled ‘War’ and ‘Peace’ – the former a wild and scathing critique of modern warfare, the latter its gentle counterpart.
“Let there be peace,” Maal urges over hypnotic plucked guitar, “So storms can go out to sea/ To be angry/ And return to me, calm”. Rousing stuff and well worth a listen.
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Out Now