N'Faly Kouyate
Album: Change
Label: Namun
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.nfalykouyate.com/EN/Welcome.html

N'Faly Kouyate's new album is very much a product of the global village. The singer, kora and balafon player from Guinea has had exposure to western audiences through his work with Afro Celt Sound System, and has now produced a dance-tinged album of some verve, in collaboration with Pete Ardron and Sandra Werner. The opening three tracks are a real statement of intent, “Meya” being about a young girl whose boyfriend doesn't want to go out dancing, so she leaves him behind and goes herself! “Kobebada” features treated djembe and synth bass, and should have audiences cutting shapes (is that the term?) at festivals across the continents. Kouyate's kora shimmers behind his vocals on these tracks, and seems perfectly adapted to the style.

The almost impossible to say “Djougouyangouya” treats us to a more virtuouso vocal display behind a spoken narrative, with dramatic keyboards, and backing vocals courtesy of The Urban Contemporary Gospel Singers. The title track is a fairly clear plea for change in our individual lives to effect change in the world, sung in French and English. Showing a clear reggae influence, and reminiscent of “No Woman, No Cry”, you can almost see the cigarette lighters in the air for this one. “Heroes” also lopes along artlessly enough to a reggae beat. “Hope”, a cry of thanks to AIDS researchers, has a lovely little hook in it, one of the most danceable tracks on the album. “Tunya” again showcases the kora and vocals in a more traditional format, whilst the instrumental “Djonsanlon” gives Kouyate a chance to show what he can do with both acoustic and electric kora against a backdrop of electronic beats. “Dominimba” and “Dininfin” respectively condemn political corruption and praise the beauty of Guinean women in very danceable style, and Kouyate then slows the pace to pay tribute to his late sister Sona Djeli, who died during the making of the album.

The disc also features a bonus track “All Unite for Africa”, recorded with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which does more or less what you would expect. All in all a hugely enjoyable album, which brings traditional textures to bear over some very proficient programming, and if it can be replicated live, which I'm sure it can, it should go down a treat at festivals on the world's various continents. Well worth an hour or so of your time!

Harry Thomson