One of Mali’s most celebrated performers, Habib Koite’s strength lays in his ability to bridge the musical gap between western audiences and his African roots. However, it is this same strength that strips Afriki of its native sound, feeling more akin to previous western takes on the continent’s rich music. The playing is a good deal more than apt, already heralded in numerous publications and most notably by Bonnie Raitt who compared Habib to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, but the music is filtered through Habib’s perfectionistic studio techniques leaving the sound airtight and stagnant.  No doubt to be a hit among adult contemporary and world music fans, Afriki sadly has little further out reaching appeal. (cumbancha.com)
By: Jack Rabid