Ivory Coast native Dobet Gnahoré is not only a sublime vocalist, she's also a notable songwriter. She co-authored all 15 tunes on the CD with Colin Laroche de Féline, and Gnahoré is a perceptive, frequently critical observer of social custom and practice. Titles like "Incest (Khabone-n'daw)," "Pillage," "Massacre" and "Polygamy (Mousso Tilou)" indicate that Gnahoré has a weighty authorial agenda. Her Pan-African intent is signaled by the fact that she sings her tunes in Wolof, Xhosa, Malinké, Fon, Lingala, Dida and Guéré, languages of Senegal, South Africa, Mali, Benin, Congo and the Ivory Coast, respectively. The CD has a contemplative, acoustic feel, though such uptempo interludes as "Dala" and the elemental "Pygmées" offer added textures.