Sexy Afro-Euro pop w/a touch of jazz. Mbappe is from Cameroon, though now lives in France. He has a strong voice (and isn’t a bad bassist either) and has toured with Henri Dikongue and Salif Keita, among others. There’s more “Euro” than “Afro” here, and it’s got a large amount of production work that makes it anything but simple. But it’s fun, catchy, and dashed good. Read the lyrics, he covers some serious issues.

*1. Mid/uptempo w/strong energy & a good groove.
2. A relaxed little sway w/sweet vocals.
*3. Warm & heartfelt. A slow & touching love song to Cameroon.
*4. Euro-dancey with a jazzy flair.
*5. Bright & upbeat w/catchy perc/guitar/vocals.
6. Arabic-influenced dance track.
*7. Flamenco-esque guitar, spoken word. Slow, simple, lovely.
8. Mid/uptempo w/increasing energy & great work from the band.
9. Catchy Afro-funk w/good vocals.
10. Midtempo. Steel drums, warm vocals, Swaying.
11. A big funk/jazz/rock jam. This gets busy.
*12. Sweet & relaxed w/nice blend of voices/strings.
*13. Nicely energetic mid-tempo Flamenco-inspired.
14. Fast, w/stumbling vocals, strings. Ends at 4:59
Bonus track at 5:30: Strings (mandolin?) vocals, sweet & lazy.
8/2004