Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As with this year's outstanding releases from Issa Bagayogo and Vieux Farka Touré, Television finds Baaba Maal expanding his musical horizons beyond his native influences
He's reaching fresh rapprochements with Western modes – in this case his co-producer, former Compass Point Studio guitarist Barry Reynolds, and two members of the band Brazilian Girls, keyboardist Didi Gutman and singer Sabina Sciubba, of whom one is male and neither is Brazilian. It's the kind of album that will enrage purists who prefer African artists to continue representing their "authentic" homeland culture – though Maal affirms in his sleevenote and in the track "International", internationalism is the friend of African emancipation. Such is the case here, while Reynolds and Gutman find their most advantageous places among the bricolage of African percussion, Sciubba's cool, calm voice serves as balm, soothing Baaba Maal's more impassioned, soulful outbursts on songs such as "Miracle", "Tindo" and "Television". The latter is typical of the elegant, pan-cultural pop that results, as the singer muses how TV is revolutionising African life, with "L'on dans la télévision". Elsewhere, "Dakar Moon" stands out for its flamenco guitar parts, and "Cantaloupe" for the haunting, Celtic whistling.
Download this: 'Television', 'Cantaloupe', 'Tindo', 'Dakar Moon'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments