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Sample Track 1:
"La Différence" from La Différence
Sample Track 2:
"Gaffou" from La Différence
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La Différence
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CD Review

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World Music Central, CD Review >>

Soulfully Stylish

Monday, May 24 2010 @ 02:33 AM EDT

Contributed by: TJNelson

La Différence (Emarcy Records, 2010)

Listening to Salif Keita's plumy vocals on his latest recording La Différence there can be no doubt that his is the very soul of African music. La Différence, set for release on June 8th on the Emarcy Records label, is a warm, welcomed addition to this summer's musical releases, cementing Salif Keita into one of world music's true masters. Mr. Keita's familiar poignant vocals suffuse this latest CD, standing center stage in the last of a trilogy of acoustic recordings that include 2002's Moffou and 2006's M'Bemba, much of it recorded in Mr. Keita's own Bamako studio.

Revisited and reworked track linger amidst new compositions, but don't be fooled by the lacy kora edged tracks or the bright lines of female backup singers because La Différence is packed with the force of Mr. Keita's stand on his own albinism and the plight of albinos everywhere in the CD's title track, as well as his strong opinions on the ecological problems facing Africa on "Ekolo d'Amour" and "San Ka Na."

La Différence also drinks deeply from the world map of music with guest additions of trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, guitarist Bill Frisell and guitarist Seb Martel. Bassists Jannick Top and Guy N'Sangue, cellist Vincent Segal, guitarists Kante Manfila and Ousmane Kouyate, percussionist Mamadou Kone and drummer Patrice Renson fill out La Différence's incandescent, intimate sound.

It would be impossible not to be caught up in the utter charm of La Différence's charm with the rolling rhythms of "San Ka Na," or the delicate beauty of the reworked "Seydou," or the richly intricate "Gaffou." The electrically charged "Djélé" brims over with African lutes, an accordion, a piano, strings and an infectious charm. "Samigna" and "Papa" close out La Différence with equal parts of dignity and Mr. Keita's signature vocals that effortlessly achieve a kind of poetical phrasing, wringing out the emotional core of the track.

La Différence is stunning, coming across as something gracefully simple but that is anything but simple. It is soulfully stylish, a sumptuous feast world music fans can sink their teeth into.

 

Buy the album:

  • In North America: La Différence. Other recordings available: Soro, Ko-Yan, Amen, L'Enfant Lion, Mansa of Mali, Folon..., Papa, Moffou, Remixes from Moffou, M'Bemba

  • In Europe: La Différence.

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