ISSA BAGAYOGO: “Tassoumakan” (Six Degrees) ***

This border-jumping West African musician challenges listeners with an edgy, highly contemporary international fusion that mixes call-and-response vocals, African lute and high-tech production.  Standout track “Kanou” comes with a melody that floats over bluesy guitar, jazzy piano and layers of programmed beats, while “Djigui” starts as a more traditional piece before moving into languid Afropop.  The disc wraps with “Joola,” a chilled-out nocturne calling forth ocean sounds, lyrical guitar and female vocals.  Although some numbers here are repetitive, Bagayogo’s innovations shouldn’t be overlooked.