Led by original guitarist Sekou "Diamond Fingers" Diabate, Bembeya Jazz merged homegrown Manding region arrangements in which chordal patterns repeat cyclically, with Congolese and Cuban accents. Despite having a smaller membership than in its '60s and '70s prime, the current version had a remarkably full sound. On "A Koukou We" M'bemba Camara's vocals ecstatically soared atop swirling, high-pitched polyrhythms, courtesy of two guitars, bass, conga and drums. Intermittently through that cut and others, the two-piece horn section sweetened the sound even further.

While the group sounded strongest on such upbeat cuts, the musicians showed their range of talent by also playing the melancholy "Doni Doni" with its dulcet soprano sax solo responded to by guitarist Diabate. The focus of the group, he could teach Eric Clapton a thing or two. Whether propelling "Sabou" with skittering lines, or coaxing out a spectrum of sounds on showcases from his new "Guitar Fo" CD, Diabate beautifully served the songs with very little self-indulgence.