Few voices, Western or otherwise, have the range of expression and natural instinct that Rokia Traoré does – and here she returns to a slightly more Western way of thinking with the inclusion of producer John Parish. The title track is striking, not just because she sings in English, but because it comes from the very heart of her home continent. It is symbolic of the intense motion felt throughout the album, whether in the gentle breeze of ‘Ka Moun Ke’ or the lighter instrumental arrangements of ‘Melancolie’. Less is more with Traoré, so when there is less around her in terms of instruments her voice makes greater impact, and by and large Parish remembers that in his sympathetic production. If you wanted an introduction to her remarkable voice and music this is a good place to start – as long as you don’t stop with this one album!
