Moffou (Universal Music 8527, 2002)
From his days as featured singer with the Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs through his high-profile solo career, Mali’s Salif Keita has possessed one of the world’s greatest voices. Still, he has made his share of uneven albums. While 1999’s rockishly disappointing Papa left him no place to go but up, Keita’s latest release triumphs not only in comparison but in its own right.
Moffou , easily Keita’s best since his 1987 landmark Soro, is a feast of acoustic instruments, spiritually soulful singing, richly subtle rhythmic undercurrents and an African roots sensibility unlike anything this remarkable singer has embraced in a long time. There are a couple of voice-and-guitar tracks on which Keita’s slightly raspy, Islamic-inflected tones effortlessly cut to the marrow, songs where the nuances of rhythm and melody are so tightly entwined as to be virtually inseparable, and one irresistible dance jam, “Maman,” with a solidly airy groove that will have remixers scrambling for their knobs.The instrumental backing includes the sharply attuned work of longtime guitar collaborator Kante Manfila along with a crafty balance of flutes, accordion, n’goni lute, varied percussion and more.
Moffou. Other recordings available:
Remixes from Moffou
Moffou. Other recordings available:
Remixes from Moffou
Author: Tom Orr
Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature. His hobbies include ignoring trends, striking dramatic poses in front of his ever-tolerant wife and watching helplessly as his kids surpass him in all desirable traits.
