Missing You (MiI Yeewnii)

Baaba Maal is one of Senegal’s finest artists, hailing from the north of that great country. A member of the Fulani tribe, Baaba encompasses all things Senegalese. From the traditional to contemporary, mystical and chilled to passionate and frenzied both Baaba’s albums and live performances have always weaved a place into their audiences and exposed that element of the unknown. This album sees the acoustic side of Baaba, focusing on the poetic side of his great heritage. Mainly recorded in a makeshift studio in the Senegalese countryside, it plays host to gangs of local crickets as the recordings took place outside after dark. Brimming full of atmosphere, the tracks are predominately traditional, ‘Miyaabele’ is an old African song calling for unity, once sung only by fishermen here it is given a waltz beat and a Latin edge.

There are love songs, religious laments and of course West African blues such as the track ‘Kowoni Maayo’ with Baaba’s mentor Mansour Seck doing justice to this fisherman’s lament and the finale ‘Allah Addu Jam’ is a plea for peace throughout Africa. This album is an honest blast of passion, an insight into both modern and traditional Senegalese music.