Patrice Larose and Julia Sarr

"Set Luna"; Sunnyside

Two-and-a-half stars (out of four)

Senegalese singer Julia Sarr's graceful clarity meets French flamenco guitarist Patrice Larose's sensitive inflections for a warm, free-form and challenging combination featuring lively percussion from Leïty M'Baye and a guest appearance by Youssou N'Dour. The mix works best when the guitar follows the vocal lead, as on "Guem," where West African blues invade the Spanish rhythms; or on "Yow Laï Xar,"" where Sarr's sweetly longing intonations glide over Larose's airs. Not all is ideal, though. The music meanders at times, and occasionally the performers seem to distract from one another. As Sarr says herself, though, this is not meant to be easy listening.

- RIYL: Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, Sally Nyolo

-- Jeff Gifford, Reno Gazette-Journal