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Wango Arti by Baaba Maal
May 27, 2007 12:42 AM
Senegalese music helped define “World,” that strange and vaguely condescending category that roughly means everything that’s not from the USA, Canada, and Western Europe. As amorphous as the category is, the sound of Senegalese music is so distinctive as to help lend it a sort of foundation.
Youssou N’dour has been the most commercially succesful and easily recognizable of the Senegalese acts, with his extraordinary vocals strong enough to stand out in any crowd.
Baaba Maal, though, is sneakier. He grows on you, and in my book, his music has more bottom than any of the readily accessible Senegalese acts. His voice cannot compare to Ndour’s, but his ensemble sound has big chops - just check out the percussion here, which in my view is worth the admission all by itself.
Posted at 12:42 AM