In Habib Koité's home county of Mali, each community has its own musical style and sound. It is, in a sense, the same variation one would expect to find in foods from region to region, where much of the basics are the same, but the subtle touches and distinct flavors make each region unique. Koité and his band, Bamada, bring to life the Malian version of the proverbial melting pot, where the country's distinct regional flavors are simmered to produce a single emotional and uplifting representation of Malian music. The term Koité has coined for his style is "danssa doso," a combination of the Malian name for a popular rhythm (danssa), and the word for hunter's music (doso), an ancient musical tradition. The name also symbolizes his feelings that the soul of the past and the promise of the future should be united as one.

Foly! Live Around the World is the fourth album, and first live release, from the West African group. While Koité's brand of world music has garnered him much critical acclaim worldwide, his success in the United States could be potentially hindered by his tendency to sing in his native tongue. The fact of the matter is, that while many people out there can appreciate a singer regardless of whether or not they understand the words, more folks are just plain hung up on having words with their music that they actually understand. This may help explain the generally modest success of "world music" in U.S. markets, especially as compared to the popularity of more domestic tunes.

Regardless of Koité's stateside marketability, he has managed to gain the attention of many notable musicians based on the grace and emotion of his songwriting, and the sheer power of his performances. Koité has attracted high profile fans like Jackson Browne, and he appeared on Bonnie Raitt's latest album, Silver Lining. In 2002, he was awarded a Kora for Best West African artist (the African Grammy).

So, if you are one of those people who feels the need for a little English with your music, this album is probably not for you. But if you are one of those folks who believes that music itself is indeed the universal language, and you've got a taste for world beat, do yourself a favor and pick up Habib Koité and Bamada's Foly! Live Around the World.