Rokia’s Beautiful Sounds

Rokia Traore – Beautiful Africa (Album)

I would like to thank my “Cultural Assitant“ Tarlach O’Neil, who turned me onto Rokia Traore; as he semt me a link to her album Tchamantche, I subsequently found out she had released an Album earlier this year Beautiful Africa.

For those who havent heard of her before; Rokia Traore is from Mali and is a Victoires de la Musique award winner, this is her 5th album following up from 2008 Tchamantche Rokia has worked with producer John Parish (other producing credits include Sparklehorse & PJ Harvey).

Whilst Tchamantche felt more like a chill out world album, Beautiful Africa sees Rokia in a uptempo almost rock mode, but never losing her world music fusion sensibilities. When Rokia sings it is as if she is telling a story; a story that I don’t understand but like the sound of.

Of the songs on the album Ka-Moun Ke being the stand out track sounding like a slightly slower version of Yeke Yeke; Tuit Tuit has a beat that you cannot help tapping your feet to. The Title track Beautiful Africa is Rokia’s most rockiest number and gives the album a boost before the albums closing track Sarama; which is partly sung in English which lends even more poignancy to the track.

Should you only buy one world music album this year, make Beautiful Africa that purchase.

VereView Star rating VVV/5