ISSA BAGAYOGO

When he first recorded an album in Mali six years ago, Issa Bagayogo became known as "Techno Issa" for the electronic sounds he blended with traditional African music. His CDs became big hits with people who loved their frenetic mix, but "Tassoumakan" shows that Bagayogo has matured as an artist: Rather than relying on one musical mood, "Tassoumakan" is a balance of fast and slow, modern and traditional, club tunes and ballads. For those who want to dance, there's "Kalan Nege," but "Joola" (which incorporates sounds of water) and "Djigui" (featuring flute and what sounds like the tapping of a horseshoe) could be played in any hip lounge. Bagayogo's rich voice, aided by a group of backup singers, is always assuring. The album's only blights: No translations of songs and no liner notes of real substance, which is a shame for an artist who deserves better explanation. -- Jonathan Curiel