Dakar-Kingston

Youssou Ndour – Dakar-Kingston
Reviewed by Sadie O., 5/19/11
One of Africa’s biggest stars makes a Reggae album. Former Wailer Tyrone Downie produces, and there are an impressive set of guests (including Chinna Smith on guitar). Stylistically, it ranges from fairly pure African sound with a Reggae beat to something more like textbook Roots Rock Reggae (I like the Afro-Reggae mashup best), but always with Ndour’s soaring griot vocals.
1. 3:53 ****loping talking drum intro, relaxed midtempo bubble, pretty song in praise of Bob Marley, mostly in English. Features spoken word by Mutabaruka. Very African instrumentation and feel.
2. 4:02 ***talking drum and stepping razor skank, sweet vocals in Senegalese.
3. 4:15 **very downbeat, downtempo, floaty flute, vocals in two languages. Guest vocals by upcoming star Patrice.
4. 4:09 ***female chorus, then upbeat midtempo skank with talking drum and stuttering guitar, vocals in Senegalese. Pretty and nice.
5. 5:58 ****piano triplets, uptempo skank, vocals in Senegalese and English, groovy shuffle, very danceable, strong lyrics.
6. 4:44 *relaxed downtempo bubble with pretty chimey things, love song.
7. 3:19 ***groovy 4/4 roots one-drop. Nice simple song in Senegalese and French.
8. 3:22 ***relaxed, swingy one-drop – has a Wailers feel to the music, positivity lyrics in several languages. Guest vocals by Nigerian female singer Ayo.
9. 4:51 ***bouncy skank, vocals in French and Senegalese. Nice, but restrained, bit of talking drum and stuttering guitar.
10. 3:58 ***midtempo skank featuring Gramps Morgan’s powerful baritone, and a nice harmonica solo.
11. 3:51 **upbeat skank with woobly sounds, vocals in Senegalese.
12. 3:45 **positively skippy little skank, vocals in Senegalese.
13. 4:35 ***dramatic intro, downtempo skank with bits of nice percussion and guitar sounds.
14. 4:21 **cover of the Bob Marley classic, a bit smoothly produced for my tastes, but some nice original vocal twists.