Superlative ninth LP by the Malian megastar, whose songs fuse the bright, beautiful, bluesy and West African traditional with strong social and political commentary framed with her fabulous voice, and finger-picking guitars, koras and kamele ngoni. The album is named after the area taken over by extreme Muslim insurgents over a decade ago, and her songs variously get to grips with ongoing evils from gender inequality and forced marriage to war. Standout African bluesy number Wassulu Don is a tribute to her own region of Wassoulou and its courageous women expressed by her ever present female backing vocalists. She’s a naturally joyful performer, upbeat in style even on the darker subjects, but there’s tangible melancholy on the powerful Demissimw, a ballad about children affected by war. Blues’ African roots are also expressed by guitar licks on the wonderful Sarama, a song about jealousy. Other standouts include the title track, the quieter Degui N’Kelena, love song Kanou, and Sira. A potential album of the year. Out on World Circuit.
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