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SENEGAL SENEGAL One of the best known countries in Africa for music with a huge output and a whole cluster of top names such as, Youssou Ndour, Baaba Maal, Thione Seck and Ismael Lo to pick just a few. Mbalax music is the best known but many very distinctive musical styles are to be found here. I still have over a hundred cassettes and CD's that I have had for some years and never even got around to opening. None of them are listed here so if there is somthing you are looking for then please do ask. This page was last updated on 24/6/16.

ARTIST TITLE NUMBER FMT PRICE BUY ABDOU GUITE ET EVOLUTION ETE SHOW ETE CD £25.00 Wow! What a superb album from amazing singer Abdou and with magic music from his band Evolution. The track listing is an interesting work of fiction when compared to the CD. It lists 9 tracks but only 7 are actually numbered on the CD and the last 21 minute track is totally blank. Track 1 is actually 1, 2 and 3 combined. Track 2 is 4, track 3 is 5, track 4 is 6 and 7 combined, track 5 is 8 and finally track 6 is 9.

Having got your head around that you are about to have it totally blown away again when you listen to one of the best mbalax albums in years. INTRODUCTION 2. KOULA FAALE (GUITE CLUB) 5. WEROU KOOR 7. NINA ABDOU GUITE SECK DEKAALE DEKAALE CD £15.00 Beautiful mbalax album from Abdou who had me hooked as soon as he started to sing.

Crystal clear vocals with power and feeling packed into every word and if that wasn't enough the music is superb as well. Shame it is only 33 minutes as I could listen to him all day. Loved the last track, 8 Minutes, which knocks spots of Youssou Ndour's 7 Seconds! ( F.T.Index: Sammy Waay, 8 Minutes, Weeru Koor, Dekaale, Seex Yi, Gim, Allaaji. ) [7T/33M] 1. SAMMY WAAY 2.

WEERU KOOR 5. 8 MINUTES ABDOU NDIAYE ALLA SECK ALLA TC £6.50 ABDOURAHMANE DIALLO FOUTA FOUTA TC £5.00 A superb pot-pourri of an album that leaves a wonderful fragrance and it comes courtesy of Baaba Maal - playing on it are some of Dande Lenol plus the semi-traditional Groupe Diaguere. Vocals are handled by Baaba's brilliant protege Abdourmane backed by Tonio Lo and Fatou Toure and very good and varied all their singing is too. The tracks are all quite different in style and are difficult to describe, there being no overall theme. Each track mixes not just modern and traditional musical styles but also the instruments making the music.This is one of those albums that just has to be heard to be believed and believe me I've definitely given pride of place to a copy in my own collection. Not to be missed. ( F.T.Index: Lawol, Thierno Bocar Dadel Kane, Guili, Fouta, Ndebo, Dabakh Malick Sy.

) [6T/32M] ABI BATOU NDOUR CACHE-CACHE CACHE TC 6.50 COL This is the second release by Youssou's sister Abi and it follows much the same style as her first. Her lovely soft vocals lend themselves perfectly to this modern mbalax with its slightly Westernised feel. The music which is quite catchy is also very well played. However that is only to be expected as Abi has once again borrowed some of her brother's Super Etoile players - Assane Thiam is on tama while Pape Oumar Ngom takes over the guitaring accompanied by Pathe Jassy. A Lovely album all through. (F.T.INDEX: Jooyna, Cache-Cache, Jamm Ji, Dara Matoul, Nijaay, Jaaxle.)[6T/M30] ABI BATOU NDOUR DJIGUENE ABN TC £10.00 Recorded at brother Youssou's Studio Xippi in Dakar this tape is one of the hottest hits in Senegal this year (1994) and with very good reason. Lead guitarist Omar Sow and tama player Assane Thiam along with most of 'Super Etoile' are providing the backing to Abi's astonishingly beautiful vocals.

She would I'm sure have had a hit without their help but with it, the whole album is just so gorgeous, its not true! The final track is simply out of this world. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ALBUM (F.T. Index: Limamoulaye, Borom Gall, Mbeuguel. MALAME SARR 7. TAMA FILA ABLAYE MBAYE XALEYI XALEYI TC 10.00 COL Xaleyi is blind boy Ablaye's third album and translates as 'The Children'. His power packed voice sounds more and more like Youssou Ndour's each time and accompanied by Lamine Faye and the rest of the Lemzo Diamono crew, the music is as good as Super Etoile's as well!

So if you like Youssou or Lemzo Diamono or both then this album going to be right up your street. ( F.T.Index: Waat, Musiciens, Am Saxou, Xaleyi, Yaye Balma, Gued. ) [6T/31M] ABOU DJOUBA TEDDOUNGAL TORO TEDDO TC 6.50 COL A lovely album of traditional Fula style music that's just full of tinkling xalam, hoddou and kora, plus percussion from tama, talmbatt, etc.

Abou is an immensly popular and also a very powerful singer not just in his own ethnic area but is also much appreciated in Dakar. His style is quite similar to Baaba Maal so if you like Baaba then you'll love this one from Abou.

Beautiful and atmospheric. (F.T.INDEX: Doro Dia, Demiba, Diao Dia, Poullo-Oro, Yobe-Garr, Cire Kane, Thilo Ba, Bodial.) [8T/30M] ABOU DJOUBA DEH ET LE JAARE N'GENNDY DIMO DIMO TC 10.00 COL Quite an interesting style to Abou's mbalax as his incisive vocals put the bite on your ears one minute while his softer side is quite hypnotic the next. The music from the seven members of the group is a pleasure to listen to with the twinkling strings of Mamadou Sy and Djiby Dia's xalams up front and competeing with Moussa Ngning and Elle Mbaye's drumming.

Nice bit of keyboard play from Aziz and Baidy Diallo which adds to the overall difference. ( F.T.Index:Cemmedel Kessel, Dewgal, Mounal, Jam E Kasamaas, Dimo, Dental. ) [6T/36M] ABSA SAMB AND TOUTY MBAYE DAY BAAX BAAX TC 6.50 COL Who? Well you can be excused if their names don't ring any bells but if you have a copy of 'Xadimo' the classic album by Ouza and ses Branchees you will have heard their soaring vocals before.

This is their first solo release and very good it is too. Their backing band includes El Hadj Faye on percussion, Abou Guisse on xalam and Ass Diouf on guitar to mention a few of the better known names amongst them.

Modern praise singing in style with as expected the girls vocals very much up front. (F.T.INDEX: Xale, Day Baax, Waolunala, Dinkle, Missal, Dagne Kumpa.) [6T/34M] ABY NDOUR JAPPAL MU DEGGER JAPPAL CD 12.75 COL ABY NGANA DIOP LIITAL LIITAL TC 10.00 COL Strewth! Talk about having a powerful voice. Aby definitely sweeps all before her in that department and what's more the music does the same! Played at breakneck speed, in fact you'll find that the galloping horses and express trains on two of the tracks couldn't keep up the pace.

Based on traditional call and response with a largely percussive backing every track is a storm of sound no matter if its played in a modern style like Dieuleul or more traditionally like the other tracks. What ever, it's a thunderously fantastic album. (F.T.Index: Liital, Dieuleul Dieuleul, Yaye Penda Mbaye. YAYE PENDA MBAYE 4.

NDADJE ACCA WELE HIRI HIRI HIRI TC 10.00 COL A real cracker from Acca, as her stunning voice powers out like a female version of Baaba Maal and in fact she uses much the same traditional style as he has on recent albums. The striking music is provided by Malal Mbaye and Seydou Gedda Sy on khalam,* Daouda Faye and Ma Samba Diop on sabar, djembe and tama drums plus the wicked squeaking of Issa Sow once again sawing the hell out of his riti. Arranger Cheikh Tidane Tall knowing when he is on to a good thing keeps his keyboards well away from the real music while the chorus of Fatou Sy and N'gninde Tine help to belt out the magic of this BRILLIANT ALBUM. (F.T.Index: Hiri Hiri, Walla Findo, Djimami Djimami, Mine Tchilame, Rougui Ly.) [8T/46M] * Senegalese lute. ADJA NDEYE NDOUMBANE MBAYE MAGAL MAGAL TC 7.00 COL Some very interesting music from a great range of local instruments AICHA MBAYE BAYE NIASS BAYE TC 10.00 COL A beautiful traditional album which reminded me very much of Kine Lam's Sunu Cossaan.

Once again its that eerie almost skin tingling vocal style of super singer Aicha together with Arame Samb and Diama Ndiaye that grabs you. However it wasn't the singing that I found outstanding this time but the gorgeous sound of Gorgui Soce's xalam. I much prefer the tinny tinkling of this Senegalese lute to the sound of the kora.

(F.T.Index: S.O.S., Baye Niass, Xalaas, Adji Coumba Rose, Mamadou Diop, Khouma Mory, Maodo Sylla, Mamadou Diop Remix. ) [8T/40M] AJAH SY SARGAL SARGAL TC £6.00 Ajah is one of the new breed of sweet voiced young girl singers who are in vogue with Dakar at the moment. The album features Lamine Faye on guitar and Kaounding Cissokho on kora plus a host of other names but is obviously aimed more at Paris than Dakar with it's pop/mbalax flavour and lyrics also in French and even one in English. ( F.T.Index: Epp Doole, Tette, Sutura, Sargal, L'afrique D'avant, Lu Ko Jar, Jeex Na, Misik, No More Lament.

) [9T/44M] ALASSANE FALL GAIN GTVOL1 TC 10.00 COL Talented singer and songwriter Alassane and keyboard wizard Madou Diabate show just how good they are with this modern Mbalax album. With help from the equally talented Libass on lead guitar and Issa Sow, sawing his way through his Riti, they give all the album's six tracks a sound, style and quality every bit as good as Youssou N'dour and Super Etoile. This album isn't just a rather good likeness, it's a super original work of art in it's own right. JAMBAT ALIOUNE KASSE EXSINA 50683-2 CD £7.85 ALIOUNE KASSE AND LE KASSE STAR DIAPASON BAMBA TC 6.50 COL Live but as smooth as silk with great vocals from Alioune and some smashing music from the band. Particularly liked the duet on the last track.

ALIOUNE KASSE AND LE KASSE STAR WAW COUMBA. A TOUTES LES FEMMES WAW TC £6.50 New release from the Kasse family and friends with a smoother and more varied musical approach. Alioune's singing is as usual outstanding and a match for Youssou Ndour any day. Tenor sax player Cheikh Daouda Barry leads through the atmospheric 'Diongama' while Souleymane Gueye's trumpet makes the running on the slightly latin influenced tracks 'Adama' and 'Leumbeul'.

The usual throbbing Mbalax is not left out as the pounding beat of 'Yaye Boye' and 'Dia Dieuf' will enthusiastically prove. (F.T.Index: Leumbeul, Dia Dieuf, Diongama, Adama, Yaye Boye, Walo.) [8T/41M] ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA ADUNA ADUNA TC £6.50 Gifted ex-Lemzo Diamono vocalist Alioune compares very favourably with Youssou Ndour for both precision and clarity. Here the twelve members of his new group Setsima are joined by fourteen guest artists which makes you wonder just how big Dakar's Studio 2000 is! Surprisingly there aren't any recognisable big names amongst the throng on this his first solo release but the melodic mbalax mixture is still first class with everybody adding their bit to spice up the pot. The guitars, drums and horns which make up most of the instrumentation are augmented by traditional style flute, kora and even 'loops', whatever they are?

A very good first album. (F.T.INDEX: Falang, Aduna, Ifama Tamba, Khalifa, Fatelikul Dom, Netali, Diambou, Ndimbel.)[8T/38M] ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA DIAPASON Vol.

2 METIER TC £6.50 The second and the best of his two recent live 'Diapason' albums. Since leaving Lemzo Diamono and forming his own band he has certainly set out to maintain his popularity with the girls of Dakar. Recorded live at Youssou Ndour's club 'Thiossane' in Dakar he has also got Mada ba, Amath Samb, Maty Thiam Dogo and Cheikh Tidjane Fall guesting with him. Side 'A' has a laid back feel that gives you the definite impression of a hot and airless night club with the musicians playing slowly and atmospherically on dimly lit stage.

However on side 'B' the group really gets in gear as they belt out Yarou Na* and Manayla. (F.T.INDEX: Yarou Na, Manayla, Taaw, Kilifa, Natali, Metier.) [6T/51M] * From Lemzo Diamono's Masla-Bi album. ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA LENEEN LENEEN TC £10.00 Alioune's clear and incisive vocals get more impressive each time and this the fourth album from the ex-Lemzo Diamono singer finds him once again back in Dakar's Studio 2000. His group Le Setsima is basically the same with once again Malick Diaw and Charles Ndoye providing the razor edged guitar to the mbalax beat of Bassirou Mbaye and newcomers Lamine Toure and Talla Seck. If you have a look at the CD called Pansement - AFD003 it lists all the tracks except Tyson. However they are not the same set of recordings, differing in both recording length and artists taking part. LUKO WARAL 6.

LENEEN ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA SUPER THIOF STHIOF TC 6.50 COL Tracks: Sammy, Wadiour, Sans-Abris, My Boy, Joseph, Super Thiof. Just 28 minutes of class Mbalax.

ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA TAKUSAAN A DAKAR LIVE AFD007 CD £15.00 Another set of cracking songs from top rated singer Alioune and his band Le Setsima. TAMBACOUNDA 7. MY SISTER ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA GROUPE ALADJI ALADJI TC £6.50 Another splendid album from ex-Lemzo Diamono singer Alioune and his talented group - Le Setsima.

The smooth as silk vocals from Alioune and the chorus of Aicha Konte and Mbenne Seck are matched for perfection by the solo guitar of Malick Diaw who plays just beautifully. The three drummers are very good as is trumpeter Ibou Konate and sax player Mor Sarr. Also deserving a special mention (Suprise! - my pet hate.) are the loveley keyboards of Elou and Ibou Fall which were essential in giving the music its fragrant atmosphere. ( F.T.Index: Drogue, Serigne Mansour, Tivaouane, Aladji, Thiaat, Nguem. ) [6T/29M] ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA GROUPE CONFIANCE CONFIANCE CD 14.00 COL A superb album of soft and smoothly sung Mbalax from top artist Alioune Mbaye Nder and his group Le Setsima.

FATELIKOUL DOM 6. DIEUREUDIEUF S. TAKK - TAYLE 8. SERIGNE MANSOUR 9.

LENNEN ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA GROUPE PANSEMENT AFD003 CD £11.55 At first glance a compilation culled from tracks on the two cassettes Aladji and Leneen. However they have actually re-recorded the titles they wanted with a different line up of artists in studios in Dakar and then dubbed another lot of artists and instruments over them in Paris. Have a listen to Toi here and compare it to Toi on the cassette Leneen. For some strange reason they issued a few of the tracks from the CD on a cassette also called Pansement but also added another track called Serere which isn't on any other release not even the CD. Work that one out if you can. LUKO WARAL 4.

SERIGNE MANSOUR 12. TIVAOUANE ALIOUNE MBAYE NDER AND LE SETSIMA GROUPE PANSEMENT PANSE TC £6.00 Careful now as this modern mbalax album sneaks up on you as the whispered intro suddenly explodes into the title track. Almost a compilation as it was recorded in two studios in Dakar and two more in Paris and with great success I might add.

Alioune's vocals are superb as he goes through new versions of tracks culled from his top hit albums Leneen and Aladji. Papis Diouf's guitar playing is outstanding while the polished trumpet and sax of Ibou Konate and Mor Sarr bring a real shine to Fasse Diom. Contains the track Serere not on the CD of the same name. ( F.T.Index: Fasse Diom, Toi, My Sister, Pansement, Lukowaral, Serere, Leneen, Serigne Mansour.

) [8T/43M] 1. LUKO WARAL 3. SERIGNE MANSOUR ALIOUNNE ET LE KASSE STARS KARA VOL 1 KARA TC 7.50 COL ALIOUNNE ET LE KASSE STARS THIABI BI THIABI TC 10.00 COL Aliounne is one of the son of Ibrahim Kasse the founder of the 'Star Band de Dakar' in which Youssou N'dour first sang. This is the Kasse Stars second album and it's absolutely fabulous! The stunningly crisp and clear voice of Aliounne slices through the music like a knife through butter.

It's basically mbalax with El Hadji Faye and Brigo setting a cracking pace on sabars and with a lovely horn section that includes trumpet, sax and trombone. While there are guitarists in the line-up its the well crafted keyboard lines of Rane Diagne and Bachir Dia which seem to be more noticeable. If you like Youssou N'dour then I guarantee you'll like this album, its just gorgeous.

Index: Mame Bamba, Wagane, Ndogal, ) [8T/41M] ALIOUNNE KASSE ET ALIOUNE NDER LIVE FIDAK 94 FIDAK94 TC 7.10 COL Incredible live album that just blows your head clean off AMATH SAMB AND LE SETSIMA JOKKEL JOKKEL TC £6.50 First solo release from Amath who used to sing with Lemzo Diamono. I last noticed him as a guest singer with Alioune Mbaye Nder's group Le Setsima on their Diapason album, now Alioune is the guest star while some members of the group make beautiful music for Amath. His sharp but echoing vocals are set off superbly by the crisply played kora of Aliou Cissokho and the percussion backing of Talla Seck and Modou Mbaye. ( F.T.Index: Darou, Ndoucoumane, Reub Katbi, Jokkel, Jom Ji, Leumbeul. ) [6T/30M] AMY MBENGUE PETAW PETAWCD CD 11.95 COL The first track which was a bit strange with Amy's echoing vocals stretching over a deep background hum and I must admit that I wasn't too taken with it the first time round but it grows on you. She soon got back into the much more listenable mbalax style and Djirime was good, the title track better and Bimaye is a real belter. The last two tracks starts out as sweet as sugar but soon harden up as the drummers pile on the beat.

No details of who plays what but those drums are stunning while the keyboards play nicely behind the scene and don't steal it. As for Amy, great voice and going to go far. KHADIMOU RASSOUL 2. BIMAYE DOOR PLUS 5. MAMAN A MOI 6.

BANEX PLUS AMY SOCE BARRY NJOOWAAN NJOOW TC £6.50 A lovely album of traditional music and song from Amy and the Ensemble N'Joowaan Du Ripp. Amy's deep and resonant tones are nicely offset by the chorus of Ndeye Kaymor and Khoudia Thali with their own soft and fragile sound. The music however is the prime mover here (for me at least) and the throbbing traditional sounds of xalam, tulli and mbalax are just superb. (F.T.INDEX: Koom Koom La, Colonel Ba Tamsir Raky, Kunu Woy Nga Yengu, Mbaax Amina Solo, Ali Ngata, Gor Dunukoy Woy.) [6T/33M] ASS MALICK N'DIAYE MBAYE YAANU DOY MBAYE TC £6.50 New boy Ass gets his first album out under the wing of keyboard maestro Tapha Faye.

The fast pace of Aziz Faye's mbalax percussion hardly allows Tapha to get a key in sideways on the first four tracks which is rather nice. Ass's sweet vocals are not bad for a first time out and well balanced with the sharpness of the backing vocalists although the last track was a bit too melodic for my liking. ( F.T.Index: Kilifa, Jigeen Ju Baax, Mbaye Yaanu Doy, Xalelaa, Hommage a Serigne Moustapha Sy, Yiw.

) [6T/30M] ASSANE M'BAYE SUUKER VMD9401 TC 6.50 COL Very different from other modern Senegalese albums in that the percussion is up front instead of guitar. Tama player Assane's strong, almost spoken, bass vocals combine wonderfully with the sweet synchronised chorus provided by Awa Maiga and Charlotte Basse. When the guitars and keyboard do finally get a look-in they are only played to compliment the lovely singing and Assane's drumming.

Index: M'baye M'basu M'baye, Sama Wadjie, Saint Denis. ) [6T/28M] ASSANE MBOUP FIRANGUE FIRAN TC £6.00 ASSANE MBOUP NATE-YI NATE TC 10.00 COL This is Assane's third release and they get better each time. His precisely delivered and penetrating vocals are very arresting and also very beautiful. The band with a few changes and with no well known names - (guesting in there somewhere are singer Fatou Kine Mbaye, brilliant multi percussionist Pape Ndiaye and top guitarist Jean Pierre Gomez! ) - have again produced some top quality mbalax. Recommended, especially for the atmospheric Darou Khafor. ( F.T.Index: Sabablu, Darou Khafour, Walle Bagne, Nate-Yi, Pass-pass AK Farlu, Coumba Bakhaw.

) [6T/30M] 4. COUMBA BAKHAWI ASSANE MBOUP AND LE MBOUBA DIALY THIANTE GUI THIANT TC 7.00 COL Wow what a singer and magic music to boot.

Stunning in all departments. ASSANE MBOUP AND LE MBOUBA JALY SPECIAL L'AN 2000 SPECIAL2 TC £5.00 ASSANE NDIAYE AND LE RAAM DAAN NGUISSTAL NGUIS TC 10.00 COL Assane is currently Thione Seck's backing vocalist but here gets his first go at lead with Thione providing the backing.

While he sings very similar to the master he doesn't yet quite have his power but with Thione guiding him and with 'Le Raam Daan' backing him he is certainly on his way to the top. Adama Sarr is on lead guitar while God Sylla Mbaye and Barra Ndiaye belts out the percussion.

'Ligueye' is a cover of 'Blain Djigueul' from Thione's 'Ta Sa Boula Nekh' album, not quite the same spine tingling quality but damned near! Essential for Thione Seck fans. (F.T.INDEX: Darou-Salam, Kilifeu, Ligueye, Dine, Nguisstal, Niane-Gui.) [6T/32M] 1. DAROU-SALAM 3. KILIFEU ASSANE NDIAYE ET LE NGEWEUL-GUI XARIT XARIT CD 12.00 COL Delightful six tracker from Assane which immediately made me think of Thione Seck as soon as the title track opened.

As it goes on the link to Thione strengthens and if you know how good he was in the early days then you will love this album from start to finish just as I do. YAYE NOGAYE 4.

KHALEBI (SEYDINA) ASSANE NDIAYE ET LE NGUEWEL GUI YONE WI YONE TC £5.00 Wonderful singing once again from Assane on this original issue Senegalese cassette. WAKHY MAME 4.

MA WOYALENE 5. KIMA DOYE ASSANE THIAM LI TAMA DI JOY WAX LA LITAMA TC 7.50 COL Tip-top tama playing from one of the most famous drummers in Senegal. This album is going to take a lot of beating. An absolute must for those that love drumming.

ASSANE THIAM MAME MAME TC 6.50 COL ASSANE THIAM WALA WALA TC 6.50 COL Another massed percussion offering from master tama player Assane who is most often heard playing with Youssou Ndour and Super Etoile. Assane and Grand Thiam plus Mamadou Seck knock out some fair vocals to go with the booming drums while Tapha Faye once again adds a pinch of spice with his and Ibou Cisse's background keyboards. If you are into drums then you will be hearing four tamas all played by members of the Thiam family plus toungoune, thiol, talmbatt, mbeung mbeung, thioung and djembe. With all that lot it's a real throbber!

(F.T.Index: Salla Yayi Nder, Mame, Thiaya, Mame Penda, Thiep By, Art By. )[6T/25M] AWADI SUNUGAAL SUNUGAAL CD 11.95 COL Basically a modern Senegalese Rap style album but it also has a very nice cover version of the Golden Sounds - Zangalewa as Zamouna. Altogether a rather interesting and listenable album which has been extremely well put together. RAP EUZEUL 4.

GOSSE SOLDAT 5. DJOW SA GAAL 6. ABIDJAN JAMALS VU 7. ONE VIBE ONE FLOW 8. LUNDI MATIN 9. LES MISERABLES 10.

PARALLELES BAABA MAAL BAAYO 8483004 TC £5.00 BAABA MAAL BAAYO (1991) PALMCD2118-2 CD 9.15 COL BAABA MAAL FIRIN IN FOUTA 9944 TC £6.50 BAABA MAAL FIRIN IN FOUTA MCT1109 TC 7.00 COL BAABA MAAL GENERATION NOUVELLE ST2001 TC £10.00 Released back in 1990 this cassette recorded at Studio 2000 is a must have for any Baaba Maal collector. SY SAWANDE 6. FREE MANDELA BAABA MAAL LAM TORO 539925 TC £5.00 BAABA MAAL LAM TORO (1993) PALMCD2116-2 CD 9.15 COL BAABA MAAL LIVE AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL PALMEP2014-2 CD £6.00 BAABA MAAL MI YEWNII MIYEWNII TC £5.00 BAABA MAAL MISSING YOU (MI YEEWNII) PALMCD2067-2 CD 13.65 COL BAABA MAAL NDILANE ST2006 TC £10.00 Also released back in 1990 this cassette recorded at Studio 2000 is another must have for any Baaba Maal collector. AR-YILO BAABA MAAL NOMAD SOUL PALMCD2002 CD £13.65 BAABA MAAL NOMAD SOUL NOMAD TC £6.50 With its electronic style and sub-titled 'Part 1 - Music of the World' it's obviously destined at some stage as part of a CD release aimed at the Western disco market. The usual crew including Mansour seck are joined by Bary Reynolds on guitar, the 'Screaming Orphans' and the 'Kicking Horns' plus synth programming from Ron Aslan and Gerry Prince.

( F.T.Index: Guelel, Cheri, Delia, Douwayra, Mbolo, Fanta, Naayo. ) [7T/40M] BAABA MAAL OLEL E0301191-4 TC 10.00 COL This one is an absolute classic. Released back in 1991 and then available all over West Africa! No concessions to European tastes on this one, it's pure Senegalese magic. STUNNING FROM START TO FINISH. ( F.T.Index: Lem Gi, Garoowo, Olel, Naange, Danube, Gidelam. ) [6T/40M] 2.

GIDELAM BAABA MAAL PRESENTE AHMED MAAL AND BARKHANE CISSE DOUNYA TC 7.00 COL I liked the first track, 'Dounya' but I just melted with the next one, 'Lenol Lam', definitely classic material, as is the next track, 'Amadou'. Baaba helps younger brother Ahmed and Barkhane Cisse who are listed as lead vocalists but I'm sure its actually the awesome voice of Baaba that makes this album so stunning. The guitar playing of Assane Cisse and the keyboard of El-Hadj Niang flow beautifully over the soft mixed percussive backing up until the last track. Then, if you've been on the ale this short but beautiful chant will then have an amazing effect upon you with its background of pouring water. Its no good I've got to go again! Talk about water music! (F.T.Index: Lenol Lam, Amadou, Baye Birane, Salaye.

) [6T/33M] BAABA MAAL SANGOUL SANGOUL TC 7.50 COL BAABA MAAL SUNUGAL SUNUGAL TC 10.00 COL Another cracking traditional set from Baaba and side-kick acoustic guitarist Mansour Seck. I was quite excited by the first track, definitely hooked with the second and after that I just freaked out as it got better and better! The kora playing of Kawning Sissokho is pure magic as is Aly Diallo's wonderful flute.

The percussionists also deserve a medal for their superb backing but without a doubt the chief gong has to go to Baaba for his unbelievably beautiful vocals. Gal Gui had me singing along at the top of my voice - terrified the neighbours - and left me breathless and on cloud nine.What an album! Index: Gal Gui, Miskinebe, Woulobe Lele, Ndaga, Laabi Dine, Cherie, Miabe, Hommage A Guelaye. ) [8T/50M] 1. WOULOBE LELE 4.

HOMMAGE A GUELAYE 6. LAABI DINE BAABA MAAL TAARA 38774-1 LP £10.00 BAABA MAAL TAARA SYL8395 TC 8.00 COL BAABA MAAL THIAYO THIAYO TC 7.50 COL BAABA MAAL TIIM TIMOL TIIM TC 10.00 COL Breaking away from the usual record in Senegal and then re-record in Paris, this album has been put together at Studio 2000 in Dakar and the Realworld Studio's over here. A real gem and its still a different set of tracks to his new CD. A bit electric in places like on Swing Yela and Yelo-Yelo but still a superb album. Mansour Seck provides some vocal backing but no guitar, watch out for his own new album in the next newsletter. Also listen out for bouzouki, bodhran, celtic harp, what next? Whatever it is, if its as brilliant as this album I'm getting a copy.

Index: Amadou Ampathe Ba, Ca Est La, Yoni, Tiim Timol. NJILLAM WELLI 2. SWING YALA 3. AMADOU AMPATHE BA 5. TIIM TIMOL 7.

YELO-YELO BAABA MAAL TONO TONO TC 10.00 COL Wonderful album from Baaba who returns to form with the traditional acoustic music that made his stunning Djam Leeli such a big hit. Beautifully atmospheric recording with Kawni Sissokho on Kora, Dema Dia on Xalam, Bada Seck on percussion and Massamba Diop completing the line-up on Tama. I'm also told that Baaba is such a perfectionist that he is unlikely to let this album be released on the European market, he'll go and re-record it all first*.

So if you want the original, get in quick as it's definitely going to be another very very sought after Classic. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. *Released in 1996 and no sign of a CD yet! HAYO MI DAGNI 5. TONO BAABA MAAL TOURE ( AFRICAN WOMAN - GOREL ) TOURE TC 7.00 COL BAABA MAAL WANGO STCD3018 CD 7.85 COL His 1988 electric album. BAABA MAAL AND DAANDE LENOL AIWA AIWA TC 10.00 COL The spine tingling effect that Baaba's vocals have given to his atmospheric acoustic releases is given a chance to do the same to a slower and very stylish electric set with stunning results.

A must if you like Baaba as some of this album was recorded by mobile studio 'Le Douera Podor' in Senegal and it might not be released over here if previous albums are anything to go. SIMPLY SUPERB. (F.T.INDEX: Nemanam, Dagnal Koni, Aiwa, Souka Nayo, Niwa, Ndakarou, Amin.) [7T/47M] BAABA MAAL AND DAANDE LENOL FARBA FARBA TC 7.50 COL BAABA MAAL AND DANDE LENOL DIAPASON DES STARS 97 Vol. 1 STARS1 TC 10.00 COL Recorded live in the new Studio 2000 venue in central Dakar and making a refreshing change from those Mango high-tech studio releases. Right from the start you can sense the overpowering atmosphere generated by the crowd as Baaba lets his hair down, what bit he's got, after all it is his birthday party.

The electric sound of Dande Lenol provide the immensely power packed backing which ranges through mbalax with a touch of gothic menace to wild reggae jammin, a gorgeous traditional number that gets faster and faster as the crowd join in with Baaba's echoing vocals. A bit of acapela and a stunning Afro-Cuban belter as well as 'Happy Birthday'! See how many of his party guests you can spot as they join in to make it a night to remember. Luciano, Omar Pene, Samba Diabare Samb, Coumba Gawlo Seck (Thione's daughter), Khar Mbaye Madiaga, Kine Lam, Marone, Mada Ba and Barkhane Ciss. Pure magic all the way and unlikely to ever be released over here.

(F.T.INDEX: 3, 5, 4, 1, 2.) [5T/34M] BAABA MAAL AND DANDE LENOL DIAPASON DES STARS 97 Vol. 2 STARS2 TC 10.00 COL Recorded live in the new Studio 2000 venue in central Dakar and making a refreshing change from those Mango high-tech studio releases. Right from the start you can sense the overpowering atmosphere generated by the crowd as Baaba lets his hair down, what bit he's got, after all it is his birthday party.

The electric sound of Dande Lenol provide the immensely power packed backing which ranges through mbalax with a touch of gothic menace to wild reggae jammin, a gorgeous traditional number that gets faster and faster as the crowd join in with Baaba's echoing vocals. A bit of acapela and a stunning Afro-Cuban belter as well as 'Happy Birthday'! See how many of his party guests you can spot as they join in to make it a night to remember. Luciano, Omar Pene, Samba Diabare Samb, Coumba Gawlo Seck (Thione's daughter), Khar Mbaye Madiaga, Kine Lam, Marone, Mada Ba and Barkhane Ciss.

Pure magic all the way and unlikely to ever be released over here. (F.T.INDEX: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3.) [5T/31M] BAABA MAAL AND DANDE LENOL WANGO SYL8348 LP £8.00 His 1988 electric album.

WANGO ARTI 2. LAAM TOORO 4. YIIRI YALLA 5. SEHIL BAABA MAAL AND LE DAANDE LENOL LAAMDO LAAMDO TC £5.00 A delicious album of older style mbalax with a little traditional thrown in for good measure. Targeted at the local market by the sound of it, so I would not expect to see it out on CD, in fact that has been the case with quite a lot of his recent Senegal only releases. Baaba's voice is on incredible form here as he effortlessly rises above the music only to swoop aside to let Kaw Cissokho's kora take on the sweetly played guitars. A very innovative mix that is definitely getting a place in my own collection.

( F.T.Index: Buur, Deungueul Naan, Gambia, Ngare Ngamen, Bouki, Dioula, Gongama. ) [7T/46M] BAABA MAAL AND LE DAANDE LENOL LIVE A LONDRES ET ST. LOUIS LIVE1 TC £10.00 The hymn is Baaba's introductory chant before he and the band warm up with a new version of old favorite, Demgalam. Then things really start to take off as the band launch into a couple of great dance tracks that will leave you gasping for breath. Get your wind back on side two as he teams up with Ernest Ranglin for a magic session of guitar picking in the style of Djam Leelii before bowing out with the help of fellow vocalist Abou Djouba Deh in a pretty impressive display of tonsil power.

( F.T.Index: Koni, Borom Signature, Cherie, Dem Ngalam, Hymne Pour le Fouta. ) [6T/47M] BAABA MAAL AND LE DAANDE LENOL LIVE A LONDRES ET ST. LOUIS LIVE2 TC £8.00 Baaba's second album continues with the second half of Cherie where you can start to hear who does what. Mansour Seck is there, so is Ousmane Hamady Diop, Tonia Lo, Kaouding Cissokho, Abou Thiam and Bakane Seck to name but a few. Everybody gets to show what they can do and after about 15 minutes it changes noticably as Massamba Diop gives us an intriguing display of his tama drumming.

Side B sees everyone joining in for a massively throbbing display of what Senegalese music is all about like getting yourself all hot, swaying and sweaty. Its brilliant, I feel exhausted and I'm only sitting in my chair doing the writeup. Strangely enough there are no track names listed.

[5T/46M] BAABA MAAL AND MANSOUR SECK DJAM LEELII FMSL2014 LP 8.00 COL The original 9 track album from 1989 with some of the most stunning music and song to ever come out of Senegal. Believe me you will be amazed.

BAABA MAAL AND MANSOUR SECK NGAWLA NGAWLA TC £10.00 The title says half of it but to complete the picture, Samba sings and plays Xalam while Baaba and Mansour are of course lead vocals and guitars. Beautifully played Kora, Tama, Hoddou and various percussion sounds complete the line-up on this very much, 'back to basics' album. The trio's vocal harmonies on a couple of songs are every bit as good if not better than anything on 'Djam Leelii' or 'Tono' and other tracks show us the beauty of the pure traditional style which many I'm sure don't even know exists. (The F.T.Index: Ngawla, Jalalo, Thiaroye) Baaba's Senegalese cassettes are always different recordings to those released in Europe. BAABA MAAL AND MANSOUR SECK SOUVENIRS SOUVENIRS TC 7.00 COL The voices and acoustic guitars of Baaba and long time friend Mansour Seck glide effortlessly through a set of wonderful songs. They are accompanied by Bao and Kaouning Sissoko on kora, Barou Sall on xalam and percussionists Bada and Bakan Seck, El Hadj Aw and Assane Ndoye who also plays guitar. Their first western released album 'Djam Leelii' has stood as the bench mark against which other albums seeking 'Classic' status have been measured for some years but now this is now the new benchmark.

ABSOLUTE CLASSIC. (F.T.INDEX: Tindol, Diofnde Fouta, Sanou, Dama-Rewo, Cerno Mountaga, Diama Goudiry, Miyewni, Cire-Cire.) [8T/48M] 1 SANOU 2 DAMA-REWO 3 TINDOL 4 DIOFNDE FOUTA 5 MIYEWNI 6 CIRE-CIRE 7 CERNO MOUNTAGA 8 DIAMA GOUDIRY BAABA MAAL AND MAQUETTE WADE INVITENT TELE TC 10.00 COL Baaba and gutsy voiced Maquette return to the traditional roots of Senegalese music.

They are helped by invited guests, Thione Seck, Ndiaga Mbaye and Oumar Bassoum. While it may be a bit sparse on percussion it's pure magic regarding the sound of the hoddu's (three stringed lutes) and Maki Sall's guitar. Mansour Seck also gets in on the vocals but this album is really Baaba's show - literally - as it was taken from a Senegalese TV programme. Baaba's rich and intensely atmospheric vocals make the simple and softly flowing music a real gem especially when he solo's on 'Duga'.

(F.T.Index: Mame Adama, Duga, Tarra, Seede, Laguiya. ) [6T/46M] BABOU CHEIKH DIOUF AND LE MBAAK SAFFINE MASS NA KAKANE MASSNA TC 6.00 COL BAKANE SECK AND LES JERI-JERI NAWETT NAWETT TC 6.50 COL A BIG DRUM ORCHESTRA, there's no doubt about it with eleven percussionists but as Bakane is a member of Daande Lenol you won't be suprised that joining in are Baaba Maal on vocals along with the sweet voiced Jocelyne, Cheikh Dieng and Jimmy Mbaye on guitars and Kawning Sissokho on kora. However nice the singing and guitars are Bakane won't let you forget that he is above all a drummer as he proves with a tremendous display in Tey. ( F.T.Index: Bayi-Saa Toll, Tey, Nawett, Khaleyi, Nioume, Dumb. ) [6T/30M] BAMBA DIAGNE BOULXADI BOULX TC £6.50 BAOBAB NOUVELLE GENERATION XELMI SYL83105 TC 7.00 COL BARKHANE CISS NGAANE NGAANE TC 6.50 COL This is the first release by new artist Barkhane who has been taken under the wing of master guitarist and singer Lamine Faye who also arranged the album. Amy Mbengue provides the sweet backing chorus to some of her friends and fellow members of Lemzo Diamono while the other half of the band are members of Dande Lenol. Barkhane likes to sing in the acoustic style of Baaba Maal and for a first outing this is a very impressive album indeed.

Just listen to the power and clarity of the vocals in the two versions of 'N'gaane' or the traditional Sama Dome. (F.T.INDEX: Oulimata, Sama Dome, N'gaane (percussion), N'gaane (xalam), Auto-Mousse, M'bere, Madior Saala, War N'ga Gaal, Senegal, Aminata M'bengue. ) [10T/42M] BIDEEW BOU BESS NDEKETE YOO NDEKETE TC 10.00 COL Senegalese rap that can really set the mood with their catchy songs. No musicians, just Andy Shafte's electronic wizardry belting out the backing tunes for rapeurs Yaaram Bi, master B and PMD. Its definitely singing up front with the boy's guests doing their bit in real style - Youssou Ndour, Viviane, Mbaye Dieye Faye and Mbaye Ndiaye no less!

If you thought rap was close to crap this little offering with its African/Mbalax influences will change your mind for ever. BLACK MBOOLO MBINDANE DU DIAAM MBOOLO TC £6.50 A rather nice soul/rap outfit that can actually sing rather than blast out words to a beat. BLACK MBOOLO WADIOUR DU MOROM WADIOUR TC 6.50 COL BOUDIABAY NDIAYE GOUYIE MOURIDE BAMBA GOUYIE TC 6.50 COL For those of you interested in drums I brought you Doudou Ndiaye Rose's hit album Djabote which after a whole years wait has only just been released over here on CD! Now I can follow that up with this lovely six track album from Boudiabay and his group. Whilst drums are the only instruments used the call and response singing by the girls on Cowlo Ndiaye is beautiful and for those amongst us old enough to remember the sound of steam engines picking up speed wait till you hear Lebouguy, you can almost hear the engine chuckle with pleasure when she stops to fill up at the end.

(The F.T.Index: Jazz Sabar, Cowlo Ndiaye, Lebouguy) BOUR SENE ET LE DECIBEL MBUX NA NJALO ON9203 TC 6.50 COL BOY DIAO AND LE KASSE STAR QUILA GUEUNEUL DIAO TC £6.00 Alioune isn't leading the band this time but Boy Diao is and now gets his first chance at fronting top band 'Le Kasse Star'. What a nice job of it he does too. The music is typically modern mbalax played slowly and with loads of feeling. (F.T.INDEX: Kou Neg Qui La Gueuneul, Sy O-Lele, Bou Gni Di Dioye, Ligueye, Bouma Fate, Mo Diaraa Woy.) [6T/28M] BOY MARONE HEY SENEGAL 26256-4 TC £6.00 Boy's first album didn't quite make it into the newsletter but this his second definitely has.

Manu Lima's magic touch is behind it and shows just what a bit of professional know-how can do. The album is a delightful high tec synth version of Senegalese music crossed with Zouk and Funana - a really cool blend. Amongst the various artists taking part are Myriam Betty and Awa Maiga who provide the delicious chorus while Hatot, Slominsky and Leloup come in with some very nice brass to compliment the guitars of Jean Pierre Gomez, Oumar Sow, Robert Lahoud and Yves Njock to name but a few! ( F.T.Index: Rew Mi, Diar Diar, Si Bir, Dial, Jiggen, Yow Mi, Togne, Nieuw.

) [8T/41M] BU BACA AFRICA BUBACA TC 10.00 COL Now here's something very different. A Senegalese/Australian group that mix Senegalese rhythms with reggae, rap, etc, and what a brilliant idea and album it is too. Singer Bu Baca was born on the island of Goree made infamous by the slave trade but moved to Australia along with rhythm guitarist Ababacar and keyboard player Lypso Aboud. They are joined by Paul Burton and Victor Round on guitars, Chris Sweeny on percussion/drums, Craig Walter and Michael Bikosky on horns plus chorus girls Ronnie and Melanie.

Bu Baca's exuberant nature is infectious and clearly shows in the bright and bouncy music that is definitely dance orientated. ( F.T.Index: Njare, Macumba, Island Goree, X88, Exciting, Mystery of Love, Africa, No More War, Running Away, Jamaica. ) [11T/42M] 1. MYSTERY OF LOVE 2.

NO MORE WAR 4. RUNNING AWAY 6. X88 (SHORT VERSION) 7. ISLAND GOREE CASAMANCE MUSIC ADAMA ADAMA TC 6.50 COL As soon as it came on I immediately thought of the early sounds of Toure Kunda which mixed the traditional sounds of their local Casamance region with a reggae base. (F.T.Index: Ernest, Bourama.) CHARLES THIAM SUNU WAAR SJP TC £5.00 The first and title track sounded typically modern mbalax but the ears soon pricked up as the mbalax was joined by the unmistakable rhythm of zouk! A closer inspection of the sleeve notes revealed that Charles has family connections with Guadeloupe where zouk reigns supreme. The beat of this mbalax/zouk mixture was I found highly infectious and had me belting hell out of my old tinbox seat much to the annoyance of her downstairs who thought the ceiling was coming down!

She needn't have worried as the final smoochy track soon cooled me down. Very interesting and also rather nice. (F.T.INDEX: Hey Bo, Zina, Baia Oh, Emotion, Sunu Waar, Dis-Moi Je T'aime.) [5T/26M] CHEIKH LO DIEUF DIEUL AVP0013 TC 6.50 COL CHEIKH LO INEDITS CDS7073 CD 13.20 COL CHEIKH NDIGUEL LO FATELIKU DEMB FATEL TC 7.00 COL CHEIKH NDIGUEL LO MBEDDEMI MBEDD TC £6.50 After the stunning Ne La Thiass comes the superb Mbeddemi with Cheikh on top form as he strolls through a set of light and breezy songs with effortless ease. The sound is as sweet as honey with Oumar Sow playing some great guitar to the infectious pitter-pattering of the various percussion instruments. Pure and simple - it's just MAGIC.

( F.T.Index: Mbeddemi, Njarinu Garab, Jeunesse Senegal, Ndox, Africa Be One, Ndawsile. ) [6T/30M] CHEIKH N'DIGUEL LO BAMBAY GUEEJ WCD057 CD 13.65 COL CHEIKH N'DIGUEL LO AND YOUSSOU NDOUR NE LA THIASS WCD046 CD £13.65 Cheikh, is an accomplished acoustic guitarist and singer who's varied and innovative styles are based upon his Mouride and Baye Fall beliefs. Whilst sounding similar to the early releases of Ismael Lo, the backing actually comes from Youssou Ndour and members of Super Etoile de Dakar. Cheikh duets with Youssou on two tracks, the first, a version of Youssou's hit 'Set', is I think the best one I've ever heard and to finish off they sing the spine tingling and awe inspiring 'Guiss Guiss'. If you haven't got this album in your collection then you need your flippin' head testing. (F.T.Index: Guiss Guiss, Bamba Sunu Goorgui, Set, Ne La Thiass, Boul Di Tagal. ) [9T/46'29M] COUMBA GAWLO (SECK) AMINE AMINE TC 6.50 COL Power packed new album from Coumba recorded at Studio's Harryson and Plus 30 in Paris.

The music is quite varied in style and this is also reflected in the line up of musicians with a different set for each track. Too many to list them all but in there somewhere are Habib Faye and Cheikh Titiane Tall on guitars, Thio Mbaye, Pape Ndiaye and Moustapha Cisse on percussion with Robert Lahoud and Manu Lima on programming/keyboards. Vocalist Coumba is on superb form and is backed by five stunning voices which include her mum Fatou Kine Mbaye and Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye. Definitely gets my vote.

(F.T.Index: Bayelahad, Waxma, Banuma Sey, Xaleyou Mdawyi, Bine-Bine, Demba Colle, Amine, Yomale. ) [8T/32M] COUMBA GAWLO SECK ACCIDENT AVP0015 TC 6.50 COL A fine follow up to her first cassette 'Seytane' released two years ago while she was still an 18 year old student. For this recording she has assembled a killer studio band including the amazing bass guitarist Pape Dembele Diop who can be heard to great effect on the track 'Xaliss' (Money) on side two, a spacey, bass heavey, dance number. The most popular track in Dakar is the title song, a warning of the dangers of bad driving, a very apt subject for road users in Dakar! COUMBA GAWLO SECK DEWENETI SYL83175 TC 7.00 COL Brand new album from the stunningly beautiful Coumba Gawlo Seck who is now plain Gawlo. Her singing is wonderful, the music is superb and the inlay card reads like a 'Who's Who' of West African music.

To name but a few, Fatou Kine Mbaye, Thione Seck, Djanka Diabate and Cheikh Lo on vocals, Sekou Bembaya, Cheickh Tidiane Tall and Robert Lahoud on guitars, Pape Ndiaye and Thio Mbaye on percussion and Manou Lima on keyboards, what a line up and that's only a few of them! One lovely surprise is Coumba's duet with Thione Seck on the Afro-Cuban style track 'Sey', just out of this world! (F.T.Index: Sey, Aldiana, Yo Male, Miniyamba.

) [6T/34M] DAANDE BOOLU-MBAL CAALI MBAYLA CAALI TC 7.50 COL DABA DIAGNE TAKOU LIGUEYE TAKOU TC £6.50 DARO MBAYE BAYALE BAYALE TC 7.00 COL Lovely album of traditional music and song with lots and lots of percussive backing. Daro's rough velvet vocals are accompanied by Nene Gueye and Gora Mbaye's sweet chorus line with help from Malick Soce on Xalam and Toumani Kouyate on Kora. However the percussion line-up is the prime mover on this extaordinary album.

Featuring the sounds of Lamb, Gorong, Mbeung Mbeung, Nder and Tama. The complex drum interplay is a pleasure to listen to even if you do get lost as to who is playing what to whose whatsit! Tracks: Bayale, Daali, Thiouthie Diop, alboury, Adji Ndiokho Ndaw, Mareme Kosso Mbacke. DARO MBAYE DAAROU N'DIAR DAAROU TC £6.50 I loved her previous releases the traditional and beautiful 'Bayale' and 'Jongoma' however this one isn't quite in the same class. The trimmed down traditional backing group has been augmented by Cheikh Tidiane Tall's keyboards which are usually very good at emphasising the traditional sounds but this time round it just hasn't clicked.

Great vocals from Daro but the music is a wee bit tinselly! Tracks: Daarou Ndiar, Lamoudeguene Mbodj, Djunday Khoysamb, Buenas Noches, Borom Gorong-yi, Sakoura, Makhoureydia Bourgueth, Wa Guet-Ndar. [8T/45M] DARO MBAYE DOYLU DOYLU TC 7.00 COL DARO MBAYE JONGOMA JONGOMA TC £6.50 This release from Daro confirms her position as one of Senegals leading female singers. Her intense vocals are backed by gentle traditional music provided by the mainly percussive sound of sabar, lamb and talmbatt.

Cheikh Tidiane Tall provides the softly throbbing bass guitar and unobtrusive keyboard backing. Index: Dem-Be Camberene, Jongoma Yeewul, Baba Amina ) DEGE GUI DUNDE GUI DUNDE TC 10.00 COL Abdoulaye Ba and Abdallah Diop who make up the duo Dege Gui are 'Presented by Positive Black Soul' so I was expecting a rap album but it is actually a very good mbalax album which incorporates rap style lyrics with great effect. Pape Ndiaye provides the explosive percussion while Tapha Faye takes care of programation and keyboards. PEKHEP NONE 5. MOUME NENE 6.

GOUNELLE DEGE GUI FUU NUYE DIARE BAA MUTHE FUU TC £6.00 Duo Dege Gui belting it out in a mix of mbalax with rap vocals. Quite a stricking mixture.

[6T/M] DEMBA DIA ROCK MBALAX 3 ROCK TC £6.50 Rock mbalax innovator Demba Dia's third album sees his return to form after a lack luster second release with an album that's bursting at the seams with originality. I loved Fanta Cissokho's spooky chorus's, especially on 'Sete To Sete' and Vieux Mac Faye's guitaring which you can hear on the sampler. The keyboards and horns weave a magic spell throughout but are exceptional on the title track. RECOMMENDED (F.T. Index:Thilogne, Remember I, Sete To Sete, Rock Mbalax 3, Nel Teek) [6T/30M] DEMBA DIA ROCK MBALAX AMBIANCE RMA TC £6.00 Rock-mbalax innovator Demba Dia's fourth album sees him with a very much changed line-up which now includes percussionist El Hadj Faye. Also in there somewhere are invited guests Thione Seck and Ismael Lo. I liked the surprise start to track two which makes use of an old French nursery song!

Seto Sete is a revamped version of Sete To Sete from the last album, a bit more mbalax than atmosphere this time. The rock-mbalax cover of the old Toure Kunda hit Casamance is a bit unorthodox but like the rest of the album it grows on you.

(F.T.INDEX: Rock Mbalax 1, Rock Mbalax 3, Ouvrier, Casamance, Seto Sete, Rock Mbalax 2.)[6T/31M] DEMBA DIA - ROCK MBALAX CONNIVENCE C0015RBM CD 12.95 COL Great album from superb singer Demba Dia or the more apt Rock Mbalax as he is now know. Full throttle from start to finish. ROCK WANGO 4. 6H DE DAKAR 7. KHADY SALL 12.

ROCK WANGO DEMBA NDIAYE AND LE GROUPE NDYLANE MAAYO MAAYO TC £6.50 Pictured on the cover are five but inside the list is seventeen strong! Amongst those helping to swell the band are Tonia Lo, Assane Cisse, El Hadji Niang, Alioune Diouf, Bada Seck and Assane Diop to mention just a few. Not forgetting Baaba Maal who's vocals on Hiri and Samba Diop are simply stunning. Musically its a very laid back traditional style with djembe, tama, kora, xalam and balafon backed up by a bit of guitar. Sounds very like Baaba's Sovenirs album. (F.T.Index: Samba Diop, Lewa, Hiiri, Sama Haani, Saare, Barrage.

) [6T/30M] DIAL MBAYE BACAREC DARAMANE BACAREC TC 6.50 COL DIAL MBAYE FAWADE WELE KSF005 TC 10.00 COL No release date on it but if memory serves me correctly this was her first release back in the early 90's. Dial (or Jaal) as she also known has a tremendously powerful vocal presence which scared the hell out of me and the microphone in this recording. Backing vocals come from Kine Lam (a favour Dial was to return later on Balla Aissa Boury) and the strangely named Check Berry Mboup who leads the group Yacheikh. ( F.T.Index: Fawade Wele, Nango Liguey, Defal Yallah, Foureul, Fouleu, Ramatoulaye.

) [6T/35M] DIAL MBAYE ZIAR ZIAR TC 8.00 COL DIAL MOUSSA ALE JARNAKO JARNAKO TC £10.00 Dial is a singer in the true classic style with a voice that that can shatter concrete and move houses faster than Pickfords. Her traditional group is very good musically and is composed of kora, guitar, xalam and sabar drums plus a sampler which lurks in the background but doesn't interfere with the real musicians. Star of the show is definitely Dial's explosive vocals. (F.T.Index: Jugeen Sa Ndam, Lallilaloo La, Maala Waxal Loolu, Jarnako, Gaar Walle, Duma Weel.) [6T/38M] DIAL MOUSSA ALE AND LE GROUPE FULLE EWAAY! LIVE IN C.C.F. CCF TC 6.00 COL A superb live concert recording that retains beautifully the atmospheric sound generated by the traditional instruments of the group Fulle. The thunder of the sabar drummers is the background for the rattling beat of Cheikh Faye's tama while the tinkling strings of both the kora and xalam really come alive to a degree that I've not heard on other recordings before.

But, I hear you asking, what about the singer. Well the explosive vocals of Dial and her two sweet chorus girls can't be ignored as they power out to an obviously totally enraptured audience, you hardly hear a peep out of them except when Dial talks to them. One of the best semi-traditional albums for a long time. ( F.T.Index: Maam Faama Dogo, Betebete Bis, Jigeen Yombul, Buur Naam Faal, Rama Mii, Jeeg Bii. ) [[6T/50M] The feedback blip in Maam Faama Dogo only goes to prove just how live the recording was!

DIAL MOUSSA ALE AND LE GROUPE FULLE PELLO PELLO PELLO TC £10.00 More magic from Dial and that stunning voice of hers. As is usual and this being her 7th album (1998) the backing of the Groupe Fulle is again on top form. Some lovely bits of music come into their own when Dial and the girls have the occasional breather to change tempo and style rather like the Congolese seben. The final track is amazing as Dial blasts out the song with just a background drone for accompaniment. BUSO BAALI 6. ASIKALA DIALE MBAYE AND LE GROUPE FULLE BETE BETE BETE-BETE TC £10.00 Superb traditional album with a great singer and gorgeous music. DIALIOU DAMBA VOLUME II SYL8333 TC 6.50 COL DIARRA GUEYE AND MAMIE SANEWA SOUL NJAGAMAREE SOUL TC £6.50 Sweet voiced young duo fronting the musical electronic wizardry provided by Cheikh Lo and Ouza with some nice sax from Thierno Kouyate.

DIOGAL SAKHO M'BAR-YI MBARYI TC 6.50 COL INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL! That's what I thought as soon as I heard the opening title track to his last album Xariit Tapha and none of the other tracks were to change that first thought at all. Well the guy is about to repeat that success with this wonderful new album. Again recorded at Studio de L'oiseau in Paris and helping this time are a slightly different line-up which includes Jean Philippe Rykiel, Didier Malherbe, Pape Dieye, Loy Ehrlich, Jean Pierre Alarcen and Wasis Diop. Another simply brilliant album.

) [8T/?M] DIOGAL SAKHO SAMBA ALLA 67031-2 CD 12.50 COL At last. Way back in 1997 I was getting all worked up about this guy and his album Xarit Taffa, anyway he has at last got a CD out and it contains new recordings made in 2001 of three of the six tracks from Xarit Taffa and four of the eight on M'bar-Yi plus three extra. Just gorgeous sit back and drift away music or what. Again a slightly different line-up than the previous two albums which includes Daby Toure, Jean Philippe Rykiel, Didier Malherbe, Pape Dieye, Loy and Tao Ehrlich, Jean-Baptiste Nallet, Steve Shehan, Peter Herbert, Vincent Segal, Yacouba Sissakho, Eric Lohrer and last but not least Wasis Diop.

If you like this one then the Xarit Taffa cassettes are still available and the simpler sound will blow you away for a second time. DIOGAL SAKHO XARIIT TAFFA XARII TC £5.00 INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL! That's what I thought as soon as I heard the opening title track and none of the other tracks were to change that first thought at all. Recorded at Studio de L'oiseau in Paris it's almost a one man album from Diogal who composed the songs, sings them ever so sweetly and plays some gorgeous acoustic guitar backed by his own soft percussion and keyboards.

He does have a little bit of help from guests Jean Philippe Rykiel, Didier Malherbe, Pape Dieye Tatiane Ehrlich and Wasis Diop. If this first album is anything to go by then he could be Senegal's answer to Gabon's Pierre Akendengue. A simply brilliant album.

(F.T.Index: Ya Khalifa, Massa Thiono, Cumbe, Xariit Taffa, Khaley Africa, Marieme. ) [6T/29M] DJALY IBRAHIMA SECK AND FATOU MBAYE DIOP DIAMONO DIALY TC 7.00 COL Husband and wife singers Ibrahima and Fatou with another superb traditional album. Accompanied once again by Modou Fall on tama and Aly Nguer Mbaye and El Hadji Ndiaye on percussion, the album like the previous one, literally throbs from end to end.

The singing again grabs your attention but this time round there is the addition of Ibou Loba's lovely khalam playing that tinkles away over the percussive backing. Magic stuff if you are into traditional music with real fire behind it. (F.T.Index: Diamono, Diale Ma, Yobalema, Darou, Baye Djily Mbaye, Mayacine Dial.) [6T/31M] DJALY IBRAHIMA SECK AND FATOU MBAYE DIOP FORAGE AND MOULIN FORAGE TC 6.50 COL Another gorgeous album from the popular husband and wife singing duo of Djaly Ibrahima and Fatou. He is known locally as 'Jali Bu Ngul' - or the the 'Black Jali' - as he is rather dark and his wife bleaches her skin and powders herself to accentuate the difference.

Percussion comes once again from Alle Nguer Mbaye and talmbatte from El Hadji Ndiaye with help this time from Gora Mbaye and Modou Fall on mbeung mbeung and tama respectively. Dara Guisse as usual tinkles away furiously on the lovely sounding xalam. Smashing singing and smashing music in the traditional style. ( F.T.Index: Cossan Sa Mam Ya, Foy Moudie, Xarit Ak Morom Ma, Zikar,Doom Yaye, Dialamba. ) [31 Minutes] 1.

FOY MOUDIE 3. COSSAN SA MAM YA 4. XARIT AK MOROM MA 5.

DOOM YAYE DJALY IBRAHIMA SECK AND FATOU MBAYE DIOP MBERY SAPROM TC £6.75 An astoundingly powerful set of duets from husband and wife singers Ibrahima and Fatou. Accompanied by Modou Fall on tama, Aly Nguer Mbaye and El Hadji Ndiaye on percussion and Ousseynou Mbaye on drums, the album literaly throbs and thumps along with a bit of help from Ibou Konate and Cheikh Fall on 'wind'?

Very much a traditional album, its the singing that grabs and holds your attention throughout even though the mixed percussion is exquisitely played. A really beautiful album. (F.T.Index: Mbery, Nianinko, Yayou Diaga) DJEOUR CISSOKO AND LE GROUPE ALALAKE HOMMAGE AU PERE SOUNDIOULOU HOMMA TC 6.50 COL Another beautiful release from K.S.F. Who are building up a reputation for producing really good traditional style music albums.

Here the Cissoko family make up half the twelve strong group with Djeour's booming vocals and electifying kora playing fitting perfectly to the thumping percussion section and the girl's razor sharp chorus. A rather unusual sound with the tinkling notes of the kora taking centre stage for once. Definitely recommended. (F.T.Index: Nanso, Casamance, Soundioulou, Sutukum, Galass, Folota. )[6T/31M] *Track B1 is Nanso - ignore the tape and inlay details!? DJIBY DRAME SONINCO SONINCO CD £10.00 Djiby's raspy vocals make an immediate impact as he growls into action in this lovely semi traditional style album.

The sweetly sung backing comes from Goundo Cissokho while the instrument line-up is composed of kora, xalam, tama, djembe, thioung, percussion, guitare and clavier. N'TERILE 6.KEUR NIDIAYE WELY DOUDOU NDAIYE ROSE DJABOTE CDRW43 CD 13.45 COL After a remarkably successful debut in the rest of Europe Doudou and his all drum orchestra are starting to bring the roots of Senegalese drumming back to a wider audience in Africa. This album really lets fly with the dramatic massed drums pounding out their Senegalese tribal rhythms on all tracks.

The French invaders of the last century would have been quaking in their boots hearing this coming from the jungle, I know all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I listen to it's throbbing electrifying beat. The vocals are stunning when they put in an appearance as in the track 'Chants du Burgam'. Definitely not produced on a small scale as it sounds as if they have half the population of Dakar singing and clapping with them. Over 50 minutes of pure magic.

Brilliant album in every way. DOUDOU NDIAYE MBENGUE RIDIAL RIDIAL TC 6.50 COL I thought the opening track was very nice but the second track just blew me away totally with some great music and magic vocals. Doudou's singing is stunning, in fact every bit as good as Youssou Ndour - and surprise suprise, yes, he's in there somewhere as well lending a hand or rather a voice to the backing.

A real gem and well worth getting. Index: Serigne Modou Habib, Mbeugueul, Gueleme) DOUDOU NDIAYE MBENGUE SEYYEUL SEYYEUL TC 6.50 COL Stupendous stuff. Scream your head off time as you accompany Doudou and his crew. DOUDOU NDIAYE MBENGUE THIATO THIATE FY8038 CD 13.85 COL DOUDOU NDIAYE MBENGUE AND LE RIDIAL YAKAAR YAKAAR TC £6.50 A third and consistantly good album from Youssou protege Doudou and his band. Recorded at Studio Xippi By Youssou's brother Ndiaga, it follows the same fast paced mbalax dance style of his other albums and as a bonus there is a cracking cover version of Hasse Walli and Asamaan's hit 'Bamba' from their album 'Tuki'. The final title track is quite different and is hopefully a peek at what is to come on future albums. Don't miss it, this guy is good.

(F.T.INDEX: Bamba, Yakaar, Diakhle, Teranga, Touki, Sey Contar.) [6T/32M] EL HADJ FAYE AFRICA 2000 001 TC £10.00 COL 1. DIAWALE WOKO 3. WAKH BAKHUL 5. MARIAMA EL HADJ FAYE CHEIKH IBRA FALL SA001 TC £10.00 COL Ex-Etoile de Dakar singer with Youssou in the late 70's and then leader of his own Star Band de Dakar in the 80's. He has been through a bad patch, not helped by the bottle, especially as Senegal is predominantly a Muslim country. This is his second release since kicking the bottle and what a scorcher it is.

A virtually complete new line up this time as the 12 strong traditional group go through their paces. CHEIKH IBRA FALL 2. KASSOU LERYI 3. WIRI - WIRI 6. AFRO MANISERO 7. YAYE TIMME EL HADJ FAYE AND L'ENS. LYRIQUE TRAD.

MANE FOUMAYE FAFANE DAGO TC 7.50 COL Ex-Etoile de Dakar singer with Youssou in the late 70's and then leader of his own Star Band de Dakar in the 80's. He has been through a bad patch, not helped by the bottle, especially as Senegal is predominantly a Muslim country but he now returns with a wonderful traditional album. His 14 strong troupe includes four chorus singers, two traditional guitars or xalams, a kora, two types of balafon, a mixture of Woloff percussion and djembe and topping it all off is Amadou Sara Ba's magic flute. (F.T.Index: Dunya Dunya and Xarit win by a whisker from the others who came second equal. ) [6T/40M] EL HADJ N'DIAYE THIAROYE 468004 CD 10.20 COL Named after the slums of Dakar where he was brought up.

This is a re-issue of the debut album of this eloquent and expressive Senegalese singer who so impressed listeners to last years 'Xel' album. EL HADJ N'DIAYE XEL 468001 CD £14.50 Musician, actor, author and at the head of the queue to become the next Senegalese superstar. This is the second album for N'diaye but will serve as an introduction for most to the soaring vocals and modern/traditional mbalax style of a major new African talent. A TOP SELLING ALBUM EL HADJI DJIBI WADE BOOBO NDH001 TC 6.50 COL ETOILE DE DAKAR ETOILE DE DAKAR ET001 LP 10.00 COL ETOILE DE DAKAR KHALEY ETOILE Vol. 4 DAD2104 CD 12.50 COL 1. KHALEY ETOILE 2.

SAMA GUENTH 4. M'BAYE GUEYE 5. ALBOURY ETOILE DE DAKAR THIAPATHIOLY Vol. 2 DAD2102 CD £12.50 ETOILE DE DAKAR WITH YOUSSOU NDOUR AND EL HADJI FAYE LAY SUMA LAY Vol. 3 STCD3012 CD 12.50 COL Volume 3 represents the mature phase of Etoile de Dakar's short but influential existence. Mbalax was by now firmly established as the beat of Senegal, with its complex, polyrhythmic structure providing a rich groove for relaxed dancing.

Some of the old latin influences can still be heard, especially in the horn arrangements. Yet the melody lines clearly reflect the phrasing of the Wolof language. The vocal contrast between Youssou N'Dour and El Hadji Faye boosts the dynamic tension of the music, with Youssou's distinctive voice bringing him increasing fame and adulation' FALLOU DIENG BOUKO BAYI 03072-2 CD 13.20 COL FALLOU DIENG FEUK DIEUF SENE007CD CD 11.95 COL Great set of tracks from Fallou with throbbing mbalax from start to finish. FEUK DIEUF 2. BEUGE TEKKI 3. CHEIKH BETHIO 4. LE DIENGOU DE FALLOU 5.

TOUCOULEUR BI 6. BOUKO BAYI 8. SAMBA TALLY 9. NDONGO LO FALLOU DIENG MEDINA STCD1090 CD 12.50 COL Compilation culled from previous Senegalese cassette albums Barsane [4 tracks out of 8], Beusseum-bi [3 of 9], Biri-Biri [4 of 8] and Weex Bet [1 of 8]. If you like this album and you should, then don't forget I have all the original cassettes in stock. FALLOU DIENG WEEX BET WEEX TC £6.50 Going up in the world - Released in 1997 this album gets a make-over from Studio Madeleine in Paris.

The same line up as on his previous hit - Biri Biri with the exception of the horn section for some unknown reason. The guys in France have smoothed off the rough edges and made this a slick album which is very nice.

The music is well upto standard and the vocals are terrific, very Youssou Ndour in style. Just magic as he belts out the duet with Ndeye Fatou Camara on Deudj. DEUDJ FALLOU DIENG XARNUBI - BEST OF FALLOU DIENG 30701-2 CD 12.50 COL This is a twelve track, best of, compilation, not to be confused with Xarnu Bi the cassette from which they grabbed the title song and only that one.

FALLOU DIENG AND LE DLC DIAPASON D'ENFER Vol. 10 V10 TC 6.50 COL FALLOU DIENG AND LE DLC DIAPASON D'ENFER Vol. 9 V9 TC 6.50 COL FALLOU DIENG AND LE DLC JUBOO Vol. 11 V11 TC 6.50 COL FALLOU DIENG ET LE D.L.C. BARSANE VOL IV BARSANE TC 10.00 COL Released in 1994 this is an incredibly beautiful album from Fallou who was the lead singer with Lemzo Diamono until last year.

A wonderful singer with a soft yet powerful vocal style which sounds almost as distinctive as Youssou Ndour's does. Backing band the D.L.C.

Led by guitarist Papis Diouf supply a rich and varied Mbalax sound to which Fallou and the girls add the finishing touch. Gorgeous in every department. (F.T.Index: Xam - Xam, May Ma Doole, Koolere, Barsane, Walo - Walo) [42 Minutes] 1. MAY MA DOOLE 2. BARSANE (BEUGUE FALLOU) 3. RETRAITE YI 7. WALO - WALO FALLOU DIENG ET LE D.L.C.

BEUSSEUM-BI VOL5 TC 7.00 COL Marvelous album released in 1996 from a guy who clearly has his sights set on Youssou's crown. His style of singing is so similar that I'm sure many people hearing him for the first time will mistake him for the king. To show his talents the opening track builds up to a devestating dancefloor finish and is followed then by the powerfully but beautifully sung title track. The band are extreemly good and although their modern mbalax sound isn't drum heavy it still manages to throb when the guitars, led by Papis Diouf, let rip. A SMASHING ALBUM. (Watch out Youssou he's after you.) (F.T.Index: Neew-Ji Doole, Beusseum Bi, Mbokk-Gi, Natti Degg, Jog Leen, Du-Wess. ) [44 Minutes] 1.

NEEW-JI DOOLE 2. BEUSSEUM BI 3. SOO-BEGGEE SEY 4. NATTI DEGG 7. LISA FALLOU DIENG ET LE D.L.C. BIRI BIRI DAWAL THIOW BIRI TC 6.50 COL His last album 'Beusseum-Bi wasn't a big hit in Senegal but this album is one of Dakar's biggest hits this year.

It builds fairly slowly on side 'A' before ending with the beautifully sung melody 'Beugenaia'. Side 'B' in contrast explodes into a blistering slab of dance floor mbalax that's guaranteed to liven up any party. Fallou, now in overdrive, cruises through the songs effortlessly before ending with the atmospheric sound of 'Koleure', which if you didn't know it, you would swear was Youssou Ndour and on top form as well.

Be like everybody else in Dakar, buy one. (F.T.INDEX: Koleure, Withiaxou, Walo Walo, Retraite, Beuguenaia, Biri Biri, Jokleen, Boromam, ) [8T/43M] FALLOU DIENG ET LE D.L.C.

DIAPASON DIAPASONFD TC 6.50 COL A 'Live recording' that's quite different from the album above. It's what the Senegalese audience really want to hear and dance to, not what the CD makers over here would have us believe is popular music over there! Basically the same line up but invited guests include Ouzin Ndiaye and even Youssou Ndour. Unless you understand the words the three tracks on side 'A' will probably sound a little bit tame but as soon as you hit side 'B' it's time to hold on to your hat as the whole shebang lifts off for party time Senegal style. (F.T.Index: B3, B1, B2 ) [7T/54M] FALLOU DIENG ET LE DLC LI CII JAMONO LICII TC 7.00 COL FALLOU DIENG ET LE LEMZO DIAMONO XARNU BI XARNU TC 6.50 COL FANTA MBACKE KOUYATE SOUK DJEBELOU SOUK TC 6.50 COL The traditional sounding muslim vocal introduction hides a modern and very varied album on which kora, xalam, djembe, sabar and traditional flute play side by side with guitar and keyboards.

Fanta's lovely voice doesn't overshadow her backing singers, instead it leads and blends with them at the same time. Musically most of the six tracks owe more than a little to the influence of Senegalese super group Toure Kunda who's unmistakable crossover of Reggae and Traditional music makes this album a must for my own collection. (F.T.Index: Dakar, Hady and Kenia) FATOU GUEWEL SANTA-TI CHEIKH IBRA FALL SANTA TC 6.50 COL As soon as I heard the strings on Djiby Guisse's xalam kick off the first track I knew this was going to be something very special. I wasn't to be disappointed either, the whole album is simply dazzling from end to end. Fatou sings her heart out assisted by the mixed chorus and backed by a superb percussive line-up featuring tama, lamb, talmbatt, sabar and toungoune. Beautiful music and singing throughout.

Index: Tiiss, Mooda, Garmy, Sine, Santa-Ti Cheikh Ibra Fall. ) FATOU GUEWEL SANTETI MAME DIARRA BOUSSO SANTETI TC 6.50 COL Latest release from the very popular 'Big girl about town', Fatou who's even bigger voice can be heard all over Dakar belting out her modern traditional style songs. Lamine Faye, guitarist and leader of Lemzo Diamono, is in charge of production as there aren't any guitars to be played, while the traditional sounds of group Sope Noreyni's xalams, thiol, sabars and tama are to the fore with some nice and unintrusive keyboarding from Lemzo's Tapha Faye. Lovely album. ( F.T.Index: Lu Waay Di Def, Ya Mako Diarral, Ngatia Poutcheu, Santeti Mame Diarra, Djeunigeul, Teen-Daagu, Di Na La Woy, Kou Baax.

) [8T/47M] FATOU GUEWEL AND GROUPE SOPE NOREYNI FIIRNDE SANTA BAMBA FIIRNDE TC £6.50 Spine tingling music from the group and power packed vocals from Fatou. Superb album. FATOU GUEWEL KARA OHH - C'EST CHAUD! OOH CD 12.75 COL FATOU KINE MBAAYE TOUBA BELEL AVP TC 7.00 COL FATOU LAOBE DOOLE LAOBE TC 10.00 COL A magic album of leumbeul dance music which is a real chassis shaker and with the scantily clad Fatou in particular it also leaves very little to the imagination. Fatou has been a backing singer and dancer to Abou Diouba, Ousmane Hamady Diop and Baaba Maal during the last twelve years. Now Abou Diouba has helped her with her first solo release which is a tribute to her own Pulaar culture and the leumbeul dance in particular. So get ready to singe your socks while Fatou's voice bombards your hearing with stunners such as Kalidu.

[8T/43M] Doole, Baayi Aboo, Kalidu, Souleymaan, L'an 2000, Mbiyeesee, Saltige, Dalulu. FATOU TALLA NDIAYE MUN ON9301 TC 6.50 COL FAYA MAGA FALE NALA TANGA TC 6.50 COL Faya is a Sarahoule musician who brings a great deal of variety to the usual mbalax with his new rhythm style which he calls Tanga. This translates as 'Hot' in the Wolof language and while it isn't fast and furious, as you might suppose, it is certainly very different. Guitarists Pape Samb Gaye and Jean Gomez give a blistering performance as they join seemlessly with the hypnotic tabala percussion of Ousmane Sylla. Jean also creeps in here and there with a bit of accordion. However all that great music palls into insignificance as Faya's incredible singing power gets to work along side the chorus of Masamba and Moustapha Faye and Alassane Fall. The singing is awe inspiring not just for its sharpness and reverberating power but also for its beauty.

An absolutely stunning album. (F.T.Index: Thiebou Dieune, Fale Nala, Ndiougoupe, Dogal, Seybi, Fofete.) [6T/31M] GALAXY NIAANI NIAANI TC £7.00 If you have the wonderful 'Tuki' album by Hasse Walli and Asamaan you will notice straight away that this album sounds very similar in style and with good reason. The lead singers are Rane Diallo and Meissa Niang the latter was the leading vocalist with Asamaan. This album was also recorded in Finland with the help of a few of the local musicians. However this time round Hasse Walli's magic guitar is taken up full throttle by maestro Libasse Sall.

The tama and sabar playing of Yamar Thiam is outstanding and is going to take some beating as he goes for gold on Bet Sebbi and Kham Kham, wow! Brilliant from start to finnish? (F.T.Index: Guindi, Mbayum Tool, Bet Sebbi, Kham Kham, Were Wi, Sire, Niaani.) [7T/40M] GALAXY NOBEEL NOBEEL TC £6.50 Pin back your lugs as stunning singers Rane Diallo and Meissa Niang get ready to treat you to another of their wonderfully razor sharp Senegalese and Finnish collaborations. Master guitarist Libasse Sall picks out the tunes with precision while the mixed percussion just floods through your ears.

Superbly played throughout the music, like the singing is crystal clear. Lele with the haunting sounds typical of the Sahara was just wonderful, I'd just love a whole album of it. (F.T.INDEX: Yaafus, Lele, Sing Sing Tama, Nobeel, Mbocc-Gui, Wayaane.) [7T/41M] GALLO THIELO JAM'S THIELO JAM'S TC £6.50 Three smashing tracks from singer and comedian Gallo who looks a bit like a black Ken Dodd with leopard skin trimmings. He sings mbalax in a mix of English and Wolof, No, don't laugh - it's true and what's more it's very nice. However side 'B' is purely a Wolof comedy recitation. GORGUI NDIAYE AND ATLANTIC DE RUFISQUE AFRICA AFRI TC £5.00 Smooth modern mbalax album from 1998 with great music from newly formed group Atlantic who come from Rufisque, a small town a few miles from Dakar.

Lead singer and composer, Gorgui is a very powerful vocalist with a precise and slightly gravely delivery which is quite addictive. With regard to the music - for a new group with no known musical names amongst them they all play superbly.

Fast or slow, loud or quiet the tracks are all lovely. ( F.T.Index: Ndamal Darou, Africa, N'dar, Mbeuguel, Mbothior, Hommage. ) [6T/37M] 1.

MBEUGUEL GROUPE JUBBO DOOM YAY DOOM TC 6.50 COL GROUPE JUBBOO METIER JUBBOO TC 6.50 COL GROUPE LE FOGNY LIVE CICES FOGNY CD 12.00 COL Very nice live album which contains most of the tracks released on their last CD. I would assume that the dancers are on stage as there are quite long periods of relatively repetative playing which doesn't however stop the crowd from roaring their approval. Great singing from the girls and nice music in the smooth style that tells you it is from the Casamance region. Track 10 although listed is missing from the CD but there are still 75 minutes of music. PIERRE GOUDIABY 5. ESSUKEY YAKONE 11. KELOUMACK HASSE WALLI AND ASAMAAN TERANGA OMCD42 CD £10.00 Their first album Tuki sold out straight away, which wasn't a surprise.

On their next album Teranga, Finnish guitarist Hasse again spiced up the sounds of Senegal but this time with a Finnish horn line up that really projects the wonderful singing of vocalists Doudou N'diaye M'bengue and Meissa Niang. This album contains all the tracks from Teranga plus all the tracks from Tuki as well. With music and singing as good as this Youssou had better watch out for his crown.

A thumping Senegalese beat and gorgeous guitars and horns makes it a superb combination of Nordic and African styles. One of those much maligned World Music mixes that readily combine into something truly beautiful.

Don't miss it. HASSE WALLI AND ASAMAAN TERANGA TERANGA TC £5.00 Not as good as Tuki but still very nice. HASSE WALLI AND ASAMAAN TUKI TUKI TC £5.00 Suffering Suomi, what an album! Finnish guitarist Hasse really spices up the sounds of Senegal with some inspired improvisation and vocalists Doudou N'diaye M'bengue and Meissa Niang combine to give it that final polish. The whole album shines out as an absolutely stunning example of what Mbalax with that little bit extra can be like.

BRILLIANT ALBUM. HENRY GUILLABERT AND GUESTS BENN BENN TC 10.00 COL You've probably never heard of Henry Guillabert who arranged this album but you will know his guest singers. Youssou Ndour who is beautifully backed by Viviane on Wiri Wiri, Pape Niang on Taar, Afsana Rahamatali on Were, Ismael Lo on Niangane, Cheikh Lo on N'dox and lastly Henri himself who isn't a singer with a lovely instrumental version of Jaam. Recorded at Youssou's Studio Xippi, Henry has also managed to get together a bunch of top musicians to help with the gorgeous music in the form of Oumar Sow and Badu Ndiaye on guitar and Thio Mbaye and Mbaye Diaye Faye on percussion.

A bit like a compilation but for Youssou, Cheikh and Ismael fans its a very collectable item and also a smashing album in its own right Definitely recommended. (F.T.Index: Wiri Wiri, Niangane, N'dox, Jaam, Taar, Were. ) [6T/25M] IBRAHIMA MBAYE AND SUPER DIALIA IBRA MBACKE IBRA TC £6.50 IDRISSA DIOP AND GAIENDE MISAAL CEL6765 LP 7.00 COL ISMAEL LO AFRIQUE SUNU AFRIQUESUNU TC £10.00 Having listened to the 'ISMAEL LO' album released at the same time from Mango I've only got one thing to say, 'Mango, boy did you pick the wrong one.' Having been a fan of Ismael's music for years and heard him re-hash his old tracks for the Mango release, which is good, you just get blown away by this stunner. All new material and guitar by Lokassa and Daly Kimoko. The mind boggles at the man's versatility.

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS 1. DIOP LE MAIRE 2. NDEYE WASSANAME 3. TARANGA SENEGAL ISMAEL LO BAOL BAOL ILOPRO4 TC 6.50 COL Absolute knockout! Ismael is right back on form again with this his latest Paris recorded release. The music has a very modern flavour as you would expect with both Manu Lima and Ibrahima Sylla in charge but it still manages to keep the style and versatility Ismael made famous on Xiif.

Ass Malik Diouf plays some lovely solo guitar and the Hatot/Bolognesi horn line up is great. Top quality all the way, what more could you ask for. (The F.T.Index: Na Fanta and Wassaliane) ISMAEL LO BEST OF FOLK ILOPRO96/C TC £6.50 A ten track compilation featuring the best of the Ismael's acoustic tracks.

There isn't any point in trying to do an F.T.Index as all the tracks are superb. In date order: 84 - Talibe, 87 - Marie Lo, 91 - Tajabone, Fa Diallo, Ale Lo, 94 - La Femme Sans Haine, Nassarane, Rero, Wassalia and Khar. [10T/40M] ISMAEL LO BEST OF PLUS ILOPRO96/B TC £6.50 Having done a bit of comparing this isn't an eight track compilation like 'Best of Folk' but actually new recordings of some more of his best tracks plus some that I can't find in my collection* and very nice too. The tracks are Sophia, Dibi Dibi Rek, Takou Deneu*, Lote Lo, Without Blame*, Jammu Africa, Samba and Leuk* and Raciste. [8T/35M] ISMAEL LO DABAH WRASS043 CD 12.50 COL ISMAEL LO DIAWAR STCD1027 CD 7.85 COL ISMAEL LO DIAWAR 38759-1 LP £8.00 ISMAEL LO DIBI DIBI REK DIBI DIBI REK TC 6.50 COL Stunning stuff although not quite what you would have expected given Ismael's previous releases. Put these tracks with those of the tape 'BAOL BAOL' and you've got the complete CD released last year by Mango entitled 'ISO'.

Beautifully sung and with some lovely music from guitar, violin, sax and piano. On first hearing I thought Yuk! However on listening to it again while doing this write-up I have changed my mind and I am now totally hooked. SIMPLY GORGEOUS! (F.T.Index: Khar, Dibi Dibi Rek, Nassarane, Rero. ) [6T/29M] ISMAEL LO ISO 539941 TC £6.50 ISMAEL LO JAMMU AFRICA 5342332 CD 14.75 COL Here we bloody well go again.

No it isn't a CD version of the cassette of the same name. It does have Jammu Africa on it but that is all. The rest of the tracks are compiled from all over the place and here they are: Nafanta, Sofia, Tajabone, Raciste, Nabou, Without Blame, Dibi Dibi Rek, Lotte Lo, Souleymane, Samba et Leuk, Takou Deneu and last but not least Khar. Try sorting out where this bleedin concoction comes from. Great music though. ISMAEL LO JAMMU AFRICA ILP96A TC £6.50 Stunning album from one of Senegal's top stars. He kicks off by reworking some of the highly successful styles of earlier releases by the innovative use of the horn section.

Over on side 'B' however the title track, appealing for peace in Africa, leads us into three terrific new and very addictive tracks that only bear a passing resemblance to previous offerings. This return to form makes it a must for all Ismael Lo fans. (F.T.Index: Jammu Africa, Nalewo, Sama Leer, Nitki, Timpi Tampa, Takhawalu.

) [6T/30M] ISMAEL LO JIGUEN JIGUEN TC £5.00 Tracks: Jiguen, Diggale, Diongama, Gor Sayina, Diour Sanni, Sega. ISMAEL LO NATT 387402 CD 13.85 COL Tracks: Ataya, Natt, Djola Kele, Samag La, Mougneul, Tadieu Bone, Xiif, Xalat, Dioumaa, Talibe, Alal, Lote Lo. ISMAEL LO NATT SYL8335 TC £6.00 Tracks: Ataya, Natt, Djola Kele, Samag La, Mougneul, Tadieu Bone ISMAEL LO TADIEU BONE (BEST OF) CDS7053 CD 13.65 COL Tracks: Taar Doucey, Diawar, Fa Dialo, Cedeo (ceddo), Marie Lo, Natt, Mougneul, Tadieu Bone, Xiif, Falibe (talibe). ISMAEL LO TAJABONE 8479724 TC £6.50 ISMAEL LO TAJABONE 9919 TC £6.50 ISMAEL LO VOLUME 1 TOUBA1983 TC 10.00 COL ISMAEL LO XALAT CEL8717 LP 12.00 COL ISMAEL LO XIIF CEL8725 LP 10.00 COL Tracks: Alal, Bode Gor, Xiif, Ceddo, Dioumaa, Marie Lo. ISMAEL LO XUMBEUL XUMBEUL TC £6.50 The first track, Tiedo, brought memories flooding back of the first time that I heard Ismael on the album Xiif, which is still available if you missed it. El hadji Faye plays a blinder on the percussion, just listen to him go on Ataya, while Ass Malick Diouf sets his guitar on fire. The rest of the album is slightly more restrained but beautifully sung to intense and almost mesmerising music.

A exquisite album that is very different from his recent French releases. Index: Fatou Ndiaye, Ataya, Tiedo.

) ISMAEL NDIAYE TOUBA PALENE TOUBA TC £6.50 JAAL MBAAY SAXIIR CAAM A FI SARGAL JIGEEN SAXIR TC £10.00 I've managed to get my hands on a few more of this stunning album but this is it, miss it now and you've had it. The opening track 'Bakkjigeen' is so different that it can't be compared to any other song that you're ever going to hear from Senegal. As for 'Bennoo Bi', which always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, it's just incredibly beautiful. This album is pure magic and I still can't beleive that its not out on CD and storming the World Music Charts! JIGEEN NAA NGI LIGGEEY 4. JIGEEN YOMBOUL 5. BENNOO BI (AK RIITI TUBAAB) 6.

NJABOOT GUY JURAL JAALO WAAR KER YAAY SIRA KER TC 7.00 COL Definitely one of those interesting, indeed essential, albums that are never going to make it onto CD but is a must for Baaba Maal fans. Singer Jaalo who is just a young boy is probably a one release wonder but because Baaba and his group Dande Lenol are providing the backing vocals and music it is a very collectable item. Having said that I reckon its a nice album anyway and I'm certainly putting a copy into my own collection. ( F.T.Index: Sama Yaay Booy, Ker Yaay Sira, Ana Nu, Jali Daara, Bayyi Ma, Naari Dunyaa, Alal Ak Keneen, Sopi Dunyaa.

) [8T/31M] JAARRE NGENNDI YOO BELE NDENNDU TIITOUNDE TC 7.00 COL Jaarre Ngenndi is the name of the group led by Abuu Juubaa Deh who is a Fula musician with a traditional style very similar to that of Baaba Maal. His sharply defined vocals are emphasised by the equally sharp chorus of Mariyam and Faatu. The music from the guitars of Amadu Madaani and Mbay Sammba is gorgeous but mixed with the tinkling sound of the hoddu and the various percussion instruments it becomes sublime.

A stunning album from a great group that definitely deserves to have a CD release. (F.T.Index: Jasar Weddu Mbodo, Teddungal, Ganndo Maayo, Gidam, Jaaraama Laaba Juude.) [8T/45M] JUBOO DAAN-DOOLEY DAAN TC £6.50 Every so often something rather different crops up on my desk and I'm happy to say that this album is definitely one of them. The group is composed around five very talented female singers who's combined vocal harmony is a beautiful affair rather like a praise singing choir. The music comes from the softly tinkling strings of Babacar Dieng's xalam which combines perfectly with the deep resonant throb from the two calabash players and the clacking of their wooden drumsticks. A wonderful album that reminded me a bit of those early Ali Farka Toure albums.

(FT Index: Douga, Diawale, Daan Doole, Cheikh Al Islam, Imam Hassane, Fanane.) [6T/37M] JULES GUEYE TERANGA JULES CD £12.95 A great first album from trumpeter and singer Jules who has mixed traditional Senegalese music with a contemporary jazz theme. Sax from Sanou Diouf and trombone from Wilfred complete the up front horn trio while Lamine Faye, Jeannot, Oumar and Ousmane Sow feature on guitars and Thio Mbaye leads the percussion.

TERANGA SENE-GALERE 7. KARA DINDI 9. XAMAL KANEL DIOP YELLA DK34 TC 7.00 COL Nice KHAR MBAYE MADIAGA KHALEYI KHALEYI TC 8.00 COL KHOUR MBEGUE DOMOU JOLOOF DOMOU TC 6.50 COL Y.E.S.!! This is my kind of music.

An irisistable throbbing dance beat with a sweet and smooth mix of ragga and rap which is seasoned with plenty of soul. It is sung in a patchwork of French, English and the local lingo and its sung with plenty of feeling. The smashing vocals from Mac N'jaay, Hoomy Hook and Sister Keisha are superbly backed by Robert Lahoud who takes care of the programation, the arrangement, the guitar and mixing, he couldn't manage the tama so he left that to Ma Mane Thiam. (FT Index: Khour Mbegue, Abolition, Domou Joloof, Mbollo Moy Doole, Afreeka (Intro), None, Papiloh, Sexy Girl.) [8T/36M] KINE LAM BALLA AISSA BOURY KSF004 TC 6.50 COL Another lovely album from Kine who has got to be one of the best female singer in Senegal today. Quite modern musically, due mainly to the keyboards but still retaining the traditional sound which makes it irresistible.

Helping on vocals is Dial Mbaye and on guitar is Cheikh Tidiane Tall. Index: Balla Aissa Boury, Tabasky Thiam, Celibataire.) KINE LAM CHEICKH ANTA MBACKE 387644 TC 8.00 COL KINE LAM GALASS Vol. 3 VOL3 TC 10.00 COL The soft musical background provides the perfect vehicle for Kine's sharp and gutsy vocals. RIJAALULAH 5. NDEYE PENDA 8.

JAMBAR-YI KINE LAM LE RETOUR RETOUR TC £5.00 Kine has always been one of my favorite Senegalese singers and this album is another cracker in her semi-traditional style. Abou Guisse's xalam twangs softly in the background accompanied by Soriba Kouyate's kora and even a bit of Saraba's flute putting in an appearance. The guest drummers in the form of Super Etoile's Assane Thiam and Super Diamono's Thio Mbaye put in a real belter of a performance. A superb album and definitely recommended. ( F.T.Index: Sidy, Guile, Souhane, Terale, Bamba, Le Retour, Nder, Yaye. ) [8T/45M] 1.

SOUHANE (DIAMA) 3. BAMBA (NDINDY) 6. YAYE KINE LAM NOREYNI KSF15 TC 10.00 COL Not much known outside of Francophone West Africa, Kine and her band are one of Senegal's top groups. This Paris recorded album shows just how beautiful and sweet her vocals can be as she leads the group through it's complex Mbalax rhythms.

Cheikh Tidiane Fall's guitar is highlighted by some super percussion from Massaer Samb and Papa Demba Mbaye helped by Congolese keyboard maestro Manu Lima. KARA NOREYNI 3.

YOBENTE YALLA 4. DOMAINE NATIONAL 6. LI WARAL LI KINE LAM SEY WC43004 CD 13.85 COL Kine Lam is Sengal's foremost female vocalist, the female equivalent to Youssou N'Dour, both in popularity and her mastery of the Senegalese music, mbalax. A spectacular singer, she spans the worlds of traditional and popular music, blazing new trails with every album.

Her new album Sey is a triumphant culmination of her long artistic development. The powerful music of Sey is fuelled equally by Kine Lam's super-charged vocals and the band's dynamic, extremely kinetic playing. This is music with deep traditional roots yet totally contemporary energy. BOROM KEUR 4. TASCATOU KHIBAR 7. WAKH BAAKHOOL 10. MAME THIERNO 12.

LEBU KINE LAM SUNU COSSAAN No. 1 SUNU TC 10.00 COL 'Our Tradition', recorded at Studio 2000 in Dakar and also arranged by Cheikh Tidiane Tall. It's a complete departure from her previous more modern Mbalax style albums.

Totally ethnic in concept with beautiful slow and complex rhythmic percussive interplays on Sabars and Tama drums mixed with the wonderful, almost unique, string sounds of Xalam player Malick Soce, who weaves his magic around Kine's powerful but golden toned vocals. Magnificent doesn't enter into it, just have a listen to 'Oumou Tabara' or 'Serin Dagana'. This album is pure Classic from start to finish. KINE LAM SUNU THOSSANE No. 2 THIERNO TC 10.00 COL The traditional sound of 'Sunu Cossaan No 1' was a big hit out in Senegal and this follow-up album is doing the same. This time Youssou Ndour's bass and keyboards maestro - Habib Faye - is in charge and turns out a very impressive neo-traditional album. Kine's razor sharp vocals power out over the gorgeous music coming from the eighteen piece backing group.

Composed of a ten strong percussion section with xalam players Malick Soce and Abou Guisse, a bit of guitar here and there and a mix of vocalists including Chuck Berry Mboup! Wonderful album all the way. (F.T.Index: Sourang Mberi, Lebu, Mame Thierno, Kor Leer, Souma Sagnone.

) [8T/46M] KINE LAM AND LE KAGGU BOROM TAIF BASTILLE TC £6.75 Kine shows her versatility here and switches from traditional music like 'Sunu Cossaan' to this Paris recorded hightec mbalax. The electric band, Le Kaggu, features not only a full line up of kora, tama, and other traditional percussion instruments but also guitars, keyboards and a rather smart horn section to boot. Kine proves without a doubt that her voice is just as much at home with modern music as it is with traditional. A smashing album.

(F.T.Index: Toogal, Borom Taif, Touriste ) KINE LAM AND LE KAGGU DEURBI KL TC 10.00 COL Kine's albums get better with every new release. On explosive form here with her modern mbalax band 'Le Kaggu' she really lets rip with that fantastic voice of hers. Habib Faye helps Moustapha Ngom and Doudou Konare on guitars as well as on keyboards and drum machine. Unfortunately for me xalam players Malick Soce and Abou Guisse don't get much of a look-in but trumpeters Phillipe Slominsky and Alex Perdigon have a real party. Not to be missed is the backing chorus of the lovely Myriam Bety and Awa Maiga. Tascatu Khibar with its Cuban influence was rather nice but Souma Sagnone especially the second version is the one to become a classic. (F.T.Index: Wadiour, Souma Sagnone, Bamba, Sey.) [8T/46M] This album is so good that U.S.

Record company Shanachie have now released it as 'PRAISE' on CD No. KINE LAM AND LE KAGGU LEER-GUI KSFV6 TC 7.00 COL KINE LAM AND LE KAGGU PRAISE SHANCD64062 CD £14.70 Kine's albums get better with every new release. On explosive form here with her modern mbalax band 'Le Kaggu' she really lets rip with that fantastic voice of hers. Habib Faye helps Moustapha Ngom and Doudou Konare on guitars as well as on keyboards and drum machine. Unfortunately for me xalam players Malick Soce and Abou Guisse don't get much of a look-in but trumpeters Phillipe Slominsky and Alex Perdigon have a real party.

Not to be missed is the backing chorus of the lovely Myriam Bety and Awa Maiga. Tascatu Khibar with its Cuban influence was rather nice but Souma Sagnone especially the second version is the one to become a classic. KOCC BARMA LU WAAY DEFF BOPPAM KOCC TC 10.00 COL One of the most amazing sounds I think I've ever heard from Senegal! Two guys, Maxi Crazy and Joe Xe are 'rapeurs' and writers with some startling sounds and innovations. Who would think of combining the sound of the traditional riti, flute and djembe with rap keyboards played by Beethoven!

For that matter who would make a Senegalese rap version of Dolly Parton's 'Joleen', the mind just boggles but I loved it. Odd one out is the melodic Toute Ma Vie sung by Sister Joyce which comes as bit of a surprise but very nice as they all are.

(F.T.Index: Bul Di Shine, Birel Di Ban, Toute Ma Vie, Xadi, Bis Dina Mese New, Lu Waay Deff Boppam, Maman.) [8T/32M] LABA SOSSEH 40 ANS DE SALSA 40ANS TC £5.00 LABA SOSSEH EL MAESTRO LABA TC £3.00 Its Afro-Cuban time again with this silky smooth album from husky voiced singer Laba with help from well known names like Omar Sow, Mbaye Dieye Faye, Papis Diouf, Assane Thiam and many more. The music has a totally laid back feel to it as it drifts brightly along at its own leisurly pace. It was so relaxing listening to it that I nearly fell off my seat while writting this. ( F.T.Index: El Divorsio, Jorma Sa Loxo, Seyni, Sola, Mary Cosa, Aminata. ) [6T/27M] LAMINE FOMBA ET LE CONCERTATION SYSTEM SETTOU SETTOU TC £6.00 A modern eight track keyboard led mbalax album which is bright and bouncy throughout with great vocals from Lamine.

However its a touch too electronic for my rather purist tastes. LAMINE KONTE TINQUE RINQUE SAF50049 LP 8.00 COL LE SUPER CAYOR ET SON SALSA MBALAX TAAR Vol. 3 TAAR TC 7.00 COL The same line up as on Sopente except that Cheikh Tidiane Tall has taken over from Pape Dao on keyboards. The vocals of Mame Gadiaga are much more in evidence this time while the music has taken on a more percussion orientated style. It almost seems to be mirroring history in a way as the salsa rhythm gradually gives way as mbalax starts to come into its own. Don't worry though as the salsa is still very much in evidence on all but two of the tracks. A superb album.

(F.T.Index: Respect, Malawoo, Taar, Djiguene, Sagoo, Africa, Beurelene, Touba Sandaga. )[8T/41M] LEMZO DIAMONO EN LIVE Vol. 1 LDLV1 TC £10.00 The instrumental 'Intro' is magic but then you could say that about both of these albums. Leader Lamine Faye plays some wonderful guitar while Tapha Faye kicks in with a bit of natty trombone as well as his usual keyboards. Sanou Diouf is on saxes with Mahanta Faye and Moussa Traore taking care of the drumming.

Vocals come courtesy of Pape Diouf and Mamadou Maiga who are in turn backed by the sweet voices of Amy Mbengue and Awa Dem. Very well recorded with hardly a peep out of the Studio 2000 audience. Watch out for guests Fatou Guewel and Group Sope Noreyni and Groupe Misaal.

1 - [7T/49M] Vol. 2 - [6T/57M] 1. MOURIDOULAH 4. BOROM DEUR BI 5.

ARMOMINE LEMZO DIAMONO EN LIVE Vol. 2 LDLV2 TC £10.00 1.

NDAMAL DAROU 5. ZIKROULAH LEMZO DIAMONO MARIMBALAX STCD1076 CD 12.50 COL A twelve track compilation comprising four tracks culled from each of the following albums. Jom - 1992, Massla Bi - 1994 and Simb - 1995. [12T/63M] LEMZO DIAMONO MASLA-BI MASLA-BI TC 6.50 COL Smashing new album from Lamine 'Lemzo' Faye, ex-guitarist with 'Super Diamono', and his break-away group. Lots of variety of style and it really come across from the group that making music is great fun!

Some marvellous singing from the girls (and I mustn't forget the lads as well) plus some superb guitaring from Lemzo himself. The album is sponsored by 'Nestle Senegal' and their song 'Nescafe Frappe' is a cracker. (Noit isn't, it's a drink. ED.) (F.T.Index: Yaru-Na, Douma Tayi, Nescafe Frappe, Masla-Bi. ) [7T/37M] LEMZO DIAMONO SIMB SIMB TC 7.00 COL LEMZO DIAMONO VOLUME 5 DAROU TC £10.00 You could tell that this was going to be a real classy mbalax album as soon as Lamine Faye started to let loose with some of his terrific guitar playing. At least that's what I thought until I was stopped dead by the second track, 'Wallou-Ma', which just hit me for six. Hauntingly sung by Cecile Abo Niang with backing from fellow chorus girl Amy Mbengue its just gorgeous.

The girls continue to add their sparkle on the other tracks but Lamine makes sure that they don't steal the show completely with some smashing guitaring. A wonderful album which should be in every Senegalese collection. Lemzo's best yet? (F.T.INDEX: Wallou-Ma, Fagarou, Respect, Tiens-Toi Bien, Conoy Lemzo, Darou Rahmane, Borom Deurbi, Casa Di Mansa.) [8T/41M] LEMZO DIAMONO AND LAMINE MAIGA AKARA AKARA TC 6.50 COL Having lost yet another vocalist in the shape of Alioune Mbaye, Lemzo has now joined forces with Super Diamono singer Lamine Maiga and what a lovely album they've produced.

It includes a re-working of the hit track Rew Rew Reuss from Lamine's solo album which he did two years ago. Lemzo's guitaring shines through as usual and the fast pace set by the drummers is balanced out by Lamine's soft but vibrant vocals. Index: Akara, Mbagnick, Djinky, Lawbe-Gua, Souboba.

) [6T/31M] LEMZO DIAMONO GROUP SETSIMA SETSIMA TC 7.00 COL Smashing release from this offshoot of Super Diamono which is just bursting at the seams with the vibrant guitar playing of leader Lemzo (Lamin Faye). Very much a big band sound with the horn section really showing their paces on Guissane and the girls getting their chance on Goree, both of which are gorgeous tracks. Mind you, its almost impossible to fault any of the six tracks on this album. Yes, it is that good!

LEMZO DIAMONO GROUP SPORTIFS Vol. 1 SPORTIFS TC 7.00 COL LES MUTANTS LES AGRESSIONS MUTANTS TC £6.50 Their name is a bit naff but not their music. MAAM GOOR ET LE GROUPE JAMM TAW FEEX BII AUDIENCE! BII CD 14.00 COL 1. IBII AUDIENCE! YALLA SUNU BOROM 3. MAME MAREMA (DJIBY SEYE) 5.

N'EPAVEZ - PLUS MON PAYS 7. SERIGNE BI 9. JEF YELLOLA 10. SERIGNE SALIOU MAASKOOL MASSA THIONO MASSA TC £6.50 Dakar meets New York with some very intriguing tracks. The rich and velvety voice of Maaskool is in charge while sweet voiced Alisha Zeboulon provides most of the lovely backing chorus.

The rest of the line-up changes to suit the mood of the song but includes Junior Reid, former lead vocalist with Black Uhuru who guests on the title track and a lovely drum driven version of 'Senegalese Girl' from sabar player Cheikh Tairou Mbaye. Sung in a catchy mix of English and local languages, the hookey track 'Senegalese Girl' is my favourite. 'Cheb bu gen mun na co baye, waxe senegalese girl munuma co baye'. This translates as: 'Rice and fish I can leave it, but Senegalese girl it's not possible that I leave her'. I can say the same about this album, I've got to have one! (F.T.INDEX: Senegalese Girl, Griot (the story), Griot, Voodoo Child, Massa Thiono, Sexy Love, Sabelle.)[8T/37M] MADA BA WERU WAAY WERU TC £6.50 A super album from the sweet velvet voice of Mada - a girl who knows how to sing with feeling rather than just belting it out - it just pleads to be listened too. Myriam Thiam and Mado Goudiaby are her perfectly matched chorus with a hint of help from Pape Niang.

The music is a bit startling to begin with as the modern mbalax mixes in with some almost heavy metal guitaring and way strange keyboard! However it very soon grows on you as Mada weaves her vocal magic. Musicians to note are Pape Fall, Pathe Jassy, Sanou Diouf and Thio Mbaye to name but a few. Recommended if you are looking for something a little bit different. ( F.T.Index: Boroom - Weruwaay, N'jaboot, Waxi Noon, Mer, Sekk Jef, Tukki, Neetan, Docteur.

) [8T/34M] MADIODIO GNING NGUENEL NGUENEL TC 7.50 COL MADIODIO GNING SULTANU ARIFINE SULTANU TC 7.50 COL MADOU DIABATE KEN BUGUL KEN TC 6.50 COL A lovely Mbalax album from Madou whose deep rich vocals combine perfectly with his backing of velvet voiced girls. The music, from guitarists Alain Agbo, Libass and Itou with percussion by Tapha Cisse and Moussa Traore, good as it is, still takes back seat to the gorgeous singing. MAIGA ET LE DIAMONO + BOUL CI NIAW NIAW TC 6.50 COL MAITRE LEDY YOULA TERIA BANNA TERIA TC £6.00 Looking at the photo on the inlay, that of a traditionally dressed middle aged man you can't quite equate the modern sound of the music with the photo.

Singer and sax player Ledy's softly crooning style is neatly backed by chorus girls Bessi and Therese while well known Cameroonian session man Ousmane Kouyate teams up with fellow guitarist Aboo Bass. The music is a melodic mix that ranges from the Latin influenced Melanie and Guinee Mokhoba through the slightly funky modern Afro/Paris sound of Fanta Cisse to the slightly more traditionally influenced Senegalese sounds. Whatever the style every track is gently played and very relaxing to listen to. (F.T.Index: I Kanan Toro, Kouyate La, Melanie, Gnanafing, Teria Banna, Guinee Mokhoba.) [7T/34M] MAMA AFRICA BOUL N BAI BOUL TC £6.50 MAMADOU DIALLO LA REINE MAMADOU TC £6.00 Very sweetly and softly sung with some nice guitar from Robert Lahaud once you get past the faulty start. [6T/?M] MANEL DIOP ET LE GROUPE TIMI'S WEERWI WEERWI TC 6.50 COL Absolutely stunning album from Manel and his group recorded at Youssou N'dour's Studio Xippi in Dakar. He's also borrowed some members from Super Etoile which goes some way to explaining why it's such a brilliant album. The modern mbalax music is unquestionably a total delight to listen to but it's Manel's positively friggin fabulous voice that makes the whole thing come together so wonderfully.

In fact it sounds so good that as I'm writing this I keep having to look at the inlay card to reassure myself that it isn't actually Youssou and Super Etoile that I'm listening to! A lovely homage to the late Ass Malick for the final track. Index: Hommage a Ass Malick, Xam Xam, M'backh, Weerwi, Bamba, ) [6T/40M] MANEL DIOP ET LE GROUPE TIMIS M'BALAKH M'BAKHAL M'BAKHAL TC £6.50 A real belter from Manel and his group as the atmospheric vocal, drum and guitar introduction of the first track slides into top gear. Manel's penetrating voice is on top form leading the band through some brilliant mbalax tracks on this his third album. Cheikh Dieng's guitars, both rhythm and acoustic, just sing as he lays down a carpet of notes and having said that, it wouldn't be fair to leave out Talla Seck's incredibly powerful tama drumming.

The final track is a beautiful slow acoustic guitar ballad where Manel's voice rivals very nearly the power and clarity of Youssou Ndour. Superb Album. (F.T.Index: M'Bakhal, Khebatte, Beuguel, Thiono.) [ 6T/32M] MANEL DIOP ET LE GROUPE TIMIS MBALAX GURO GURO TC 8.00 COL MANSOUR SECK POLEL SYL83201 TC £6.50 Superb release from Mansour that is a lot softer on the ear than his previous release 'Poulouroubie'. Abdoul Aziz Seck is his fellow guitarist this time round while Pathe Djassi is on bass. Demba Dia and Cheikh Samb play hoddu, Noumou Cissokho is on cora, Bada Seck on percussion and Isabella Gonzalez and Cathy Renoir chip in with some very atmospheric backing vocals.

The music is gorgeous to just drift away with as all the tinkling strings form layer upon layer with Mansour's rich vocals in the middle. WONDERFUL (F.T.Index: Thiaroye, Dialo Waly Africa, Donu Bamba, Polel, Toro.) [8T/40M] MANSOUR SECK YELAYO STCD1075 CD 12.50 COL Superb release from Mansour that is a lot softer on the ear than his previous release 'Poulouroubie'. The music is gorgeous to just drift away with as all the tinkling strings form layer upon layer with Mansour's rich vocals in the middle. WONDERFUL (F.T.Index: Thiaroye, Sanu, Rewbe Futa, Africa, Dona Bamba, Poolel, Yango.) [12T/61M] All the tracks except 'Dialo Waly' from TC 'Polel' are here although lots of names have changed. MAPENDA SECK ADOUNA TEY MAPENDA CD 11.55 COL A pounding beat to this very nice mbalax album from Mapenda Seck.

The voice is powerful if a little rough round the edges but the music more than makes up for it. Modou Mbaye's Tama must have been red hot when they recorded this album at Studio Xippi in Dakar. BARCA WALA BARSAKH 2. SOPEY NABI 4.

LOVE INDEPENDANCE 5. PAN PAN PAN 6. NIAK YAYE MAPENDA SECK JAMILOU JAMILOU TC 6.75 COL A light, bright and breezy third album from Thione Seck's brother. The mix of traditional, latin and modern mbalax with plenty of mixed percussion is set off with lovely singing from Mapenda.

His backing group with percussionist Assane Mbaye on djembe is led by Cheikh Tidiane Tall who has had plenty of mentions in previous newsletters. The last but one track 'Almamy' has truly classic vocals and is gorgeously atmospheric. (F.T.Index: Almamy, Borom Ndaat, Jamilou, Binette. ) [6T/35M] MAPENDA SECK MOSS DOLI KYAL TC 6.75 COL Diouly is nice but thats about it MAPENDA SECK NATTOU ST/MIDI TC 6.75 COL Thione Seck's brother Mapenda with his second album which is a little cracker! Although the artistic line-up is small, only six in fact, their talented use of modern technology especially by master guitarist Lamine Faye makes it sound more like sixty! The songs are all superbly sung with great feeling and are all very dancable as my little tootsies can testify.

MAPENDA SECK TAKUSSANU NDAKAROU LIVE AU KILY NIGHT TAKUS TC 7.00 COL MAPENDA SECK ET LES FRERES FAYE TAKANDER TAKANDER TC 8.00 COL MAR SECK AND ALASSANE NGOM AND LE SALSA STARS MARSECK TC £5.00 Silky smooth salsa with Mar leading the vocals and Alassane the guitars also a nice bit of trumpet from Ali Penda Ndoye and sax from Bassirou Thiam. All the songs are beautifully sung and the music is played with a laid back tempo that oozes the sensuality of the salsa sound. ( F.T.Index: Availar Con Salsastars, Noseas Tanguapo, Si Tu No Vienes, Pescodores, Buenve Ni Dad. ) [6T/29M] MARIE NGONE NDIONE MUSS MUSS TC 7.50 COL Second release from Marie who belongs to the Serrer, an ancient ethnic group virtually unheard of outside Senegal.

The prevailing Wolof culture in Dakar has been picking up on the folklore rhythms of the original inhabitants of the region for some years and word has it that even the typical Wolof Mbalax beat was created by the Serrer! The beautiful singing of the female ensemble led by Marie with its rip roaring percussion is ably assisted by Lemzo Diamono maestro Lamine Faye on guitar and the almost essential Tapha Faye on keyboards. This is an absolute gem of an album and even more so as the last track strips away the electric accompaniment and the traditional percussion and sensational singing just explode. Close your eyes, turn up the heating and dance the night away at a Senegalese wedding. (F.T.INDEX: Kumbe, Ngokkale, Kinonki, O Caabi, Muss, Kintinte.) [6T/29M] MARIE NGONE NDIONE TIDA. NDANG TIDA CD £14.00 Magic from start to finish on this her third album. Modu Mbaye's Tama sets the stage for Baboulaye Cissokho's twinkling Kora and Jimmy Mbaye's Guitar.

TIDA NDANG 2. NANGUILOKHI 5. MOUNIA NGARI MASS NDIAYE AND LEMZO DIAMONO PETAW PETAW TC £6.50 Lamin Faye gives new singer Mass a go at fronting his group. Not bad at all as he goes through some new songs as well as a couple of the groups previous hits. MATY THIAM DOGO KU SUMB TOOY KU TC £6.50 The follow-up to her first album 'Yoonu Ndaw Du Gaaw' from ex-Ouza's Ouzette, Maty. She again sticks to the successful semi-traditional format crafted by keyboard player Cheikh Tidiane Tall. No changes in the line-up with the drumming of Maissa Niang and Pape Ndiaye and xalam from Dame Mbaye plus the same rather nice chorus line.

( F.T.Index:Talibe, Ku Sumb Tooy, Yaru-Ak-Teey, Tukki Aayul, Doom-ja Ndey-ja, Fataliku. ) [6T/32M] MATY THIAM DOGO SANTATI SERIGNE FALLOU SANTATI TC £5.00 MATY THIAM DOGO YOONU NDAW DU GAAW KSFPROD TC 6.50 COL The first release from Maty who's bright and very distinctive voice has already left its indelable mark on Senegalese music as one of Ouza's Ouzettes. Stunning stuff as she powers through a set of traditionally played mbalax numbers backed by the drumming of Maissa Niang and Pape Ndiaye. Also in there is a nice bit of xalam playing from Dame Mbaye and a rather nice chorus line.

A smashing album even if Yaaram Cheikh does end rather suddenly! (F.T.Index: Yaaram Cheikh, Gora Jura Andal, Yoonu Ndaw Du Gaaw, Tooroodo Njum.) [8T/49M] MAXOU AND LEMZO DIAMONO DEMB AK TEY MAXOU TC 7.00 COL The latest release from the Super Diamono offshoot with brilliant guitar work from Lemzo (Lamin Faye) and great vocals from Maxou throughout. It's very difficult with music this good to pick out a favorite but 'Niokoro Koba' wins by a whisker from 'Ndataly Fall' in the Mbalax stakes. However the stunning last tracks 'Mbacoumbay' and 'Taara' with their slower and more rootsy style definitely take some beating.

MBAYE DIEYE FAYE SONGA MA 02056-2 CD 12.35 COL Another drum driven extravaganza from Mbaye and his host of brothers. A bit of help from Pape Ngom, Jimmy Mbaye, Assane Thiam, Youssou Ndour and Ndongo Lo. MBAYE DIEYE FAYE AND SING SING RYTHMS OUPOUKAY OUPOUKAY TC £5.00 One of Youssou Ndour's percussionists with a very controversial debut album. The first track 'Ya Moustapha' pokes fun at Mauritanians who after murderous riots a few years ago were sent packing back over the border. It also takes the micky out of their president for going to Paris for a wife!

Some of the names he calls them are not printable here! In other songs he criticises the rituals surrounding arranged marriages or 'labane' and then goes on to celebrate his 'Sing Sing Rhythms' style. His brothers provide eight of the group while the others are fellow members of 'Super Etoile'.

A very innovative and powerful percussive album that combines a variety of styles with mbalax. A REAL CRACKER OF AN ALBUM. (F.T.Index: Ya Moustapha, Soul and Ragga. Bamba Maodo.) [6T/31M] MBAYE NDIAYE GIS NAA XALEBI GISNAA TC £6.50 Mbaye actually laments the fickle nature of his young fiance, when he is informed upon visiting her family that she has married someone else and this produces some stunning stuff as Mbaye shoots his machine gun vocals at you. However just wait until he calms down and starts to slowly get his point over only for him and the group to explode in an overwhealming display of how to make your audience get of their butts and dance like crazy. This Serrer folklore album is like this all the way through. Crazy guy and even crazier music.

(Xaleye Bi means child or baby but in this usage it means baby as in Baby Darling) (6T/33M) MBAYE NDIAYE KAM NDIIK KAM TC £6.50 Traditional album with tremendously powerful vocals over simple xalam and percussive background. [7T/?M] MBAYE NDIAYE TARAARAA TARAARAA TC £5.00 Mbaye is a Sarahule singer so I'm told, who also plays the little one string fiddle or xalam shown on the tape cover. In charge is Kabou Gueye, ex bass man with Super Etoile, who's Africa Dioundioung label specialises in the non-Wolof traditional music of Senegal. The Tama drumming of Meissa Niang is up front on all tracks beside Tapha Faye's keyboard which give yhe first side a slightly modern feel. The six strong backing vocalists and the more traditional xalam and percussion take over on the other side.

Recommended as a very pleasant change from the usual mbalax offerings. ( F.T.Index: Fexi O Yaaloxe, Guerre Foge, A Toqo Naay, A Tolax, O Beefo Ndewo Njaaker, Roogo Olengoox. ) [6T/27M] MELOKAAN ONOMATOPEE ONOMATOPEE TC £7.00 Geneva based Senegalese/Swiss Afro-Funk-Reggae group whose mixture of musical styles is very interesting but just a bit too funky in its delivery for my taste. MICKA GOMIS MIRANDARI MIRANDARI TC £6.00 [8T/?M] MISAAL LEER LEER TC £6.50 Cracking stuff as the group Missal team up with the more famous Xalam.

The opening track actually sounds a bit like a Senegalese version of Ladysmith Black Mambazo but wait, there's more! Solid vocals throughout with plenty to sing along with, I just love tapes like this where you can get in the bath and scream your head off to your heart's content. Musically though the whole thing is very, very polished with excellently played keyboards and a big and explosively brassy horn line-up. ( F.T.Index: Ladula, Leer, Ayo Bayo, Fatou Ndiaye, Ding Ding, Galz, Mbosse. ) [8T/38M] MISAAL SALAANE SALAANE TC £6.50 Just out, smashing new album from the lads who are following the path of the famous group 'Xalam'. It starts off with a funky French radio friendly track featuring guest singer Sister Carmen before getting into the album proper. Basically the same lineup as on 'Leer' except for sax player Alex Gevrey.

The music is beautifully played with some great guitar, very atmospheric keyboard and perfect percussion with a couple of guest spots for Assane Mbaye's Djembe drumming. However let's not forget the driving force of the group, the two superb lead singers in the shape of Weuz Kally and Omar Ba. Are they brilliant or what! Casamance is definitely top of my 'Singing in the Bathroom' top ten this month.

( F.T.Index: Casamance, Toolu Buur, Gone, Yene, Polel Jam, Mbar, Cheikh Massamba Diarra Mbaye, Firende, Coleure, Firende (remix). ) [10T/49M] MOUSSA NGOM BANJUL BANJUL TC 10.00 COL Interesting album that doesn't get a mention anywhere on the web except here. Fairly regular Mbalax to start with and then gets a bit experimental as you can hear from the last track. Moussa is the vocalist but this could almost be a Lamine Faye album as he plays guitar and sings and composed and arranged it all with a bit of help from Pape Diop - bass, Moustapha Faye - keyboards and Mpenda Seck on backing vocals to mention a few.

KALL MOUSSA NGOM AND ENSEMBLE LYRIQUE TRADITIONNEL DU SENEGAL TRADITIONNEL TC 10.00 COL A beautiful traditional album from Moussa and the group which comprises four percussionists, xalam, flute, kora and balafon players plus an all girl chorus. All the artists get a chance to show their paces and I can't say that any one instrument was more outstanding than the rest, they were all brilliantly played. However one track that I particularly liked was Tiedo as it shows the roots of one of my favourite Ismael Lo tracks. Moussa was a vocalist with Super Diamono in the 80's and before that he sang with the Guelewar Band from Gambia. This is his third solo album but his first in the traditional style which has been building up a tremendous following since the release of Kine Lam's Sunu Cossaan and Baaba Maal's Tono. Wonderful all the way through.

Index: Ismaila, Tiedo, Laye Soumalaye, Sama Yae Dem Na Ndar. ) [6T/30M] 1. CIRCULATION LAMPE FALL 2. LAYE SOUMALAYE 6.

SAMA YAYE DEM NA NDAR MUSA AFIA NGUM MANORE NBP01 TC £6.50 A beautiful traditional album that starts as it means to go on with the haunting sound of Sara Ba's flute trilling merrily away up front backed by Pape Ndiaye Guewell's percussion. However, everyone gets a chance, Malik Soce's xalam, Bakery Cissokho's kora and Alioun Manneh's balafon. Musa himself has quite a striking voice which is backed up by the chorus of Mbay Gaye, Amie Cham and the rest of the band. Lovely from start to finish. ( F.T.Index: Madame Siby, Manore, Sare Bamba, Ligueyante, Touba, Yalla Bahna, Baladjigui Moussa. ) [7T/34M] MUSA DENG KALA SHAKAWTU-FAITH SHANCD64072 CD £14.70 Wow!

The poetry of the renowned Sufi Master Cheikh Amadou Bamba (1855 - 1927) set to stunningly atmospheric music by Musa and his band. The superbly played music is modern, using keyboards, violins, flute, sax, guitars, tabla, sitar and even harp. It perfectly compliments Musa's striking vocals.

Copious sleeve notes all about Bamba who founded the Mourides Brotherhood and the poetic content of his writings. (9T/50M) NAKODJE SAI SAI SAIDOU NAKODJE TC 6.50 COL NDEYE FATOU NDIAYE DAM MA COUMBA DAM TC £6.50 A lovely album that takes the traditional sounds of instruments such as xalam, kora, sabar, tama, lamb and xiine and mixes it in a very agreeable way with modern keyboards. However it is the traditional style singing of Ndeye and her chorus that is the outstanding feature of this album. To say her incisive vocals are powerful packed would be an understatement. They are almost atomic, even on the slowly sung title track and Nene Modji. A smashing album from start to finish. (F.T.Index: Nene Modji, Dam Ma Coumba, Kudje, Baayou Serigne Khabane, Warus, Ali Aramkode.) [6T/36M] NDEYE MARIE NDIAYE GAWLO BEETA FELAA BEETA TC £5.00 A real ripper of an album that sees Ndeye storming away with the chorus in hot pursuit and you can believe it too, her voice isn't measured in decibels it uses the Richter scale.

The music is superb with thundering tama from Papa Ndiaye, luscious guitar from Papis Diouf and the absolutely spot on tinkling from Tapha Faye's keyboards and it takes a lot to get me to say that. Mustn't forget to mention Dara Guisse's beautifully played xalam or for that matter the great job done by the chorus who finally catch up on track four. A tremendous album that might be described as semi-traditional with heavy metal overtones. ( F.T.Index: Ligeeya Woor, Gewal, Beeta Felaa, Ayda, Mbaax Sa Fasa, Yal Nafi Yag. ) [6T/30M] 1.

BEETA FELAA 3. YAL NAFI YAG 6. MBAAX SA FASA NDEYE MARIE NDIAYE GAWLO GAWLA SENEGAL GAWLO CD 12.95 COL A wonderful album that's not to be missed. Can she sing and with great music as well.

SERIGNE MODOU MBENDA FALL NDEYE MARIE NDIAYE GAWLO LOU JOTTE YOMBE LOUJO TC 6.50 COL This is the first cassette issued by Ndeye who is one of Youssou Ndour's 'sisters'. He has been using her musical ideas for some years but only now has she gone into the studio. Her scratch band includes borrowed members of Super Etoile in both the rhythm and synth departments to add a bit of sparkle to the very well played simple mbalax music.

Ndeye's singing on the other hand is something rather special as her voice soars with apparent ease through the laid back music. Something that is rather unusual on this album and rather nice is her use of an all male chorus. (F.T.Index: Samay Niit, Wara Wara, Djiguene, Kou Bakh, Iba Thioune, Teranga.) [6T/31M] NDEYE MBAYE INCHA ALLAH INCHA TC 6.50 COL A wonderful traditional album from Ndeye that's every bit as good as her previous album 'Ndaamal Daaru'. The percussion of Pape Malick Faye and Ousmane Diouf shares pride of place with, my favourite, the gorgeous sound of Djiby Guisse's xalam. They have even managed to keep the keyboard and guitar of Tapha and Lamine 'Lemzo' Faye hidden in the background although you can just hear them on Ndouga Dieng. Index:Fatou Kine Taye, Ndeye Thiaba Diagne, Ndouga Dieng, Serigne Moustapha, Magor Sow.) [8T/52M] NDEYE MBAYE NDAAMAL DAARU GENIE TC 7.00 COL Another beautiful Mbalax album from the wonderful voice of Ndeye.

She cruises through the tracks with a voice that crushes the last bit of emotion from every word. Some lovely Tama playing from the great El Hadj Faye enhanced by the guitars of Jimmy Mbaye, Papa Omar Ngom and Kabou Gueye who manage to keep the keyboards firmly in the background. NDEYE MBAYE DJINMA KOLLERE KOLLERE TC 6.50 COL NDEYE SECK FAGAROU FAGAR TC £6.50 A very traditional album from singer Ndeye who is backed by Awa Gueye, Rata Niang, Nene Gueye and Ndeye Marie Gawlo who's Lou Jotte Yombe album was in the last newsletter. The traditional music comes from the softly plucked strings of Malick Soce's xalam plus a lovely percussion mix of lamb, talmbats, toungoune, tama and sabars.

Key board and bass whizz, Cheikh Tidiane Tall has his hands full doing the arrangements and so barely gets a look-in. (F.T.Index: Ndiafat, Samba Ndambao, Bissimilahi, Thioro, Lamdou, Fagarou. ) [6T/33M] NDEYE SECK NDAME LO ARMEE SENEGAL ARMEE TC £5.00 A lovely traditional album from singer Ndeye whose razor sharp vocals are echoed by her three equally sharp chorus girls.

Gorgui Cosse and Matar Seck keep the whole thing buzzing merrily along with their beautiful xalam playing while Pape Ndiaye provides most of the percussive element, the exceptions being the calabash's of singers Ndeye and Khady. ( F.T.Index: Binetou Wade, Armee Senegal, Linguere Madiobela, Balla Maissa, Lat Code Ndieme, Oumi Mbacke. ) [6T/31M] NDIOGOU SECK dit Tchinwe INTERESSE INTERESSE TC £6.00 NDIOGOU SECK dit Tchinwe TAROU TAROU TC £6.00 NDONGO LO ADUNA - HOMMAGE 05103-2 CD 12.95 COL Wow. Every so often an album gets put in my deck that just blows me away and this album is one of them.

Eight tracks and 44 minutes of explosive mbalax with Ndongo singing his heart out. The greatest thing since sliced bread and Youssou N'dour but without a happy ending as this album is released in hommage to the late great Ndongo Lo. So unless they re-release some of his earlier stuff this is where it stops. NDONGO LO TARKHISS 03073-2 CD 12.35 COL NDONGO LO TARKHISS TARKHISS TC £5.00 NGAARI LAAW FUUTA 09273-2 CD £13.85 From St.

Louis in northern Senegal come the outstanding Cultural group Ngaari Laaw led by Abou Thiam. The music and singing defies comparison with music from the rest of the country. Traditionally based throughout but also makes full use of contemporary instruments and ideas. The tracks Coeur Brise and Soninke have some beautiful poetry which shows where Baaba Maal gets his music from. It's an absolute cracker and is definitely one that should be in every Senegalese music collection. Index: Anvers, Daara, Coeur Brise) NGALLU GAYNAKO NGALLU TC £6.00 Singer, guitarist and composer Malick Ly and the other three members of Ngallu make a great team with plenty of ideas and good sounds. [6T/?M] NICOLAS MENHEIM AND LE SUPER SABADOR NENE CHERIE - 100% SALSA 100SALSA TC £6.50 NIOMINKA BI - N'DIAXAS BAND FATI YOON BP1132 CD 10.00 COL A superb album of Senegalese reggae from vocalist Souleyman Sarr and the rest of the band.

Great music coupled with Souleyman's sweetly addictive singing make this one of my favorite African reggae albums. FATI YOON 10. KU MAG NIOMINKA BI - N'DIAXAS BAND IMMIGRE 082004 CD £5.00 NIOMINKA BI - N'DIAXAS BAND IMMIGRE IMMIGRE TC £6.50 This album follows in the footsteps of ther first album 'Fati Yoon'. Led by the silky voiced singer Souleymane Sarr the eight piece band knock out ten smashing tracks of modern bouncy Senegalese reggae which is a more polished product with the harder edges of the first album knocked off. Index: N'deysaan, Onak, Ayrul Samane, Mama Rag, O Noow Olan.) [10T/50M] NJARIN ALLUWA STYLE FOLK ALLUWA TC £10.00 A brilliant semi-traditional album from the group Njarin and guests led by Birane Mbengue who is the composer, lead vocalist and guitarist.

What is more, he is brilliant in all departments as you will no doubt hear. Even Alxuraan with Cheikh Cisse and Ndeye Amy Ndiaye rapping away merrily in the background adds a rather nice and even intriguing twist to the tradition versus modern equation. Cheikh A Ba's flute is gorgeous throughout as is Khady Seck's squeaky but ever so sweet vocals and I must mention Djiby Ba's riti sawing guest appearance on Dekendo. ( F.T.Index: Seex Ibra, Eleg, Cosaan instrumental, Dekendo, Alxuraan, Cosaan vocal, Liggey.

) [7T/36M] NUMBER ONE DAKAR 83 Vol. 3 AL THIAKA NUMBER1 TC 8.00 COL NUNBER ONE DU SENEGAL YORO - KERY GORO 1156 LP 10.00 COL OMAR NDIAYE BIIR CAMPUS BIIR TC £6.50 COL It's been three years since this young and popular singer and guitarist released his debut album Hoslu. The wait has been well worth while as his new album takes a very interesting and refreshingly folksy angle on mbalax. Omar's clear and sweetly pleading vocals are perfectly complimented by the up front acoustic guitaring by himself, Ibou Cisse and Omar Sow. Percussion comes courtesy of Moussa Traore while Jean Philip Rykiel and Christien Martens add a bit of keyboards. Well sung, well played, light and lovely. ( F.T.Index: Awa, Africa Bi, Guiss-Na, Biir Campus, Djokko-Len, Daray Ndiombor, Lorangue, Le Messager Obringer.

) [8T/36M] OMAR PENE DIAPASON DIAPASONOP TC 6.50 COL The 'El Cheapo' black and white photocopied paper inlay with no track listing and too big to fit the case wasn't a very auspicious start. Not to worry though, the cassette inside is a cracker even if the tracks are not in the right order!

Recorded live, 'EnConcert' the opening track is stunning especially when that Mbalax rhythm explodes towards the end and the tama and Omar's guitar start to crack the mould. The first and even more so the second tracks on side B epitomise Mbalax at its best. However the last track is my favorite, a re-working both in style and words of their old hit 'Mansani Cisse' culminating in a jazzed up bluesy finale that was both beautiful and unexpected (F.T. Index: Silmakha, Bass, Djin. ) OMAR PENE FAN'S SYL83160 TC 6.50 COL This release from Omar is pure bliss, his lovely vocals backed by guitarist Oumar Sow and percussionist Thio Mbaye are as smooth as silk. Copious amounts of Horns from the likes of Slominsky, Hatot and Damant only add to the perfection thus far achieved.

Arranged by Boncana Maiga with his definite Paris hallmark clearly stamped on it, I can only say it's gorgeous but I wish it wasn't such a squeaky clean production. I love that raw texture to be found on his earlier releases. OMAR PENE NILA SYL83132 TC £6.50 On this tape Omar, lead singer of 'Super Diamono', gets the Paris Hi-Tech treatment, re-recording some of his old 'Super Diamono' hits and some new material with extra synths and a more sophisticated studio sheen.

The 'Who's Who' on the inside lists Ismael Lo on vocals, Alain Hatot on sax, Jacques Bolognesi on trumpet, Direction and horns by Boncana Maiga and loads of help from Manu Lima just to name a few. Standout tracks include 'Nila' and the haunting slow number 'Papa N'Gom'.

A REAL SMASHER. OMAR PENE AND LE SUPER DIAMONO ABLAYE NJAAY ABLAYE TC £6.50 OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO DERKLE SYLAF96081 TC £6.50 Straight away you know this is a real class act as Omar's velvet vocals burst onto the scene accompanied by the sensuous sound of the chorus girls and the super horn line up of Slominsky, Hatot and Bolognesi.

Super Diamono's superb musical skills add the finishing touch to a very polished performance of modern mbalax. There is also a rather nice bit of Latin in the shape of L'an 2000 with guest singer Ronnie Baro giving his maracas a good old shake. ( F.T.Index: Mon Mari, Africa, Amoul Solo, Yobalema, L'an 2000, Dom Sama.

) [6T/37M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO DIAPASON 98 Vol. 1 SD98V1 TC £6.50 Super Diamono with Omar Pene leading the vocals in the first of two newly released live recording made in 1998. Mada Ba once again provides the sweet chorus with help from Babacar Dieng. While guesting on 'Africain' are, Baaba Maal, who explodes into song a couple of minutes in and guitarist Badou Ndiaye, who imparts a modern electric ambiance to the mbalax.

( F.T.Index: Loax Jaay, Africain, Mentalite, Dorobe, Banna, Mon Monsieur. ) [6T/46M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO DIAPASON 98 Vol. 2 SD98V2 TC £6.50 Opens with a cracking version of 'Reer' with Omar and Mada Ba belting out the vocals to some storming mbalax. Ditto the next track, another old favorite - 'Nila' which they finish off with a one and a half minute rendition of football chant 'Ole - Ole Ole Ole' to whip up the audience. Next to get the treatment is 'Adama Ndiaye' which also goes down a bomb. Singer Assane Mboup guests on 'Tiki Tiki' but rap group Black Mboolo really steal Omar's thunder when they take over the running on 'Doley'.

( F.T.Index: Adama Ndiaye, Nila, Reer, Doley, Raay Mou Nelaw, Tiki Tiki. ) [6T/40M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO DIRECT FROM DAKAR WSCD102 CD £20.00 The two 'Live in Real World' cassettes from 1996 now out on CD. ARAL SA DOOM 2.

COUMBA XALISS 7. DOUWEYE OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO LAMPE LAMPE TC £7.00 Another class act as Omar's velvet vocals flood forth backed by Super Diamono's superb music. Emigration is by far my favourite but then to my mind it is really outstanding while the other tracks are just plain superb. ( F.T.Index: Lampe, Jangal ma, Li Nu Waxoon, Emigration, Joola, Yeene.

) [6T/31M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO LIVE IN REAL WORLD Vol. 1 NIANE TC £6.50 The first of two cassettes that were recorded at the Real World studios in England and are probably destined at some time to become a CD release or maybe not as the case may be!

The usual silky smooth vocals from Omar plus Babacar Dieng and Mada Ba are accompanied by some nice guitaring from Doudou Konare and Papa Dembel Diop. The keyboards are up front but for a change fit in perfectly with the percussion and Marc and Marc produce some very nice sax play. The music on the first tape didn't ring any bells but the second will as Omar re-hashes a couple of big 80's hits - Yaye Boye and Soweto.

(F.T.Index Vol 1: Rer, Diaraf, Banna, Gainde, Mouride, Niane.) [6T/31M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO LIVE IN REAL WORLD Vol. 2 DOUWEYE TC £6.50 The second of two cassettes that were recorded at the Real World studios in England and are probably destined at some time to become a CD release or maybe not as the case may be! The usual silky smooth vocals from Omar plus Babacar Dieng and Mada Ba are accompanied by some nice guitaring from Doudou Konare and Papa Dembel Diop. The keyboards are up front but for a change fit in perfectly with the percussion and Marc and Marc produce some very nice sax play. The music on the first tape didn't ring any bells but the second will as Omar re-hashes a couple of big 80's hits - Yaye Boye and Soweto. (F.T.Index Vol 2: Xamlene, Yaye Boye, Soweto, Aral Sa Doom, Douweye, Coumba Xaliss.

) [6T/M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO NIOUN NIAR SYL83185 TC 7.00 COL The latest in a long line of great albums from Super Diamono sees them in Paris at Studio Harryson putting together a new album for Syllart. As usual Oumar Sow's lead guitar and Thio Mbaye's tama playing are superb as are Omar's vocals but under Sylla's influence their music takes on a whole new dimension. Manu Lima and Yves Ndjock have been brought in to put their expertise on the keyboards to work and the result is simply a superb album. Have a good listen to Mc Leader the vocalist on Bakar Fagu, so good the track is on both sides! Index: Xam Lene, Rer, Bakar fagu.) [8T/38M] OMAR PENE AND SUPER DIAMONO TEY 30 ANS DEJA PENE30CD CD 15.95 COL Recorded in Senegal at Studio Mobile and 2000.

Not just new versions of hits from the last 30 years but a showcase for collaboration with other leading stars. Features Viviane Ndour, Coumba Gawlo Seck, Alioune Mbaye Nder and Thio Mbaye. DIALLO DIERY 12. LAMPE OMAR PENE ET LE SUPER DIAMONO AFSUD AFSUD TC £6.50 A superbly played and smooth as silk album from Omar and Super Diamono which was recorded at Studio 2000 in Dakar and then mixed at Studio Bastille in Paris. Basically the same line-up as the Live in Real World albums but with the addition of the Paris trio of Slominsky, Bolognesi and Hatot who cut quite a dash with their brass line-up.

Musically the album is suprisingly mellow but it more than makes up for that with some gorgeous vocals from Omar who seems to get better and better with every album. (F.T.Index: Ray Mou Nelaw, Laak Jaay, Soldat, Afsud, Nanga Def, Refugies, Xalaas, Noir. ) [8T/40M] ORCHESTRA BAOBAB BAMBA STCD3003 CD 12.50 COL ORCHESTRA BAOBAB PIRATES CHOICE - LEGENDARY 82 SESSION WCC014 TC 6.50 COL ORCHESTRE BAOBAB N'WOLOF 2990418 CD 11.99 COL Eleven very powerful and atmospheric tracks recorded in the Baobab club, from which they took their name, in 1970 - 71. [60M] Was DKS0142. ORCHESTRE GALAXY MBAKH MBAKH TC 6.50 COL Recorded in Finland with some stunning vocals from Meissa Niang and amazing guitar playing from Libasse Sall OUM'SON AND THE J.M.N.

TIME - LU DIOTT YOMBE TIME TC £6.00 Senegalese rappers Oum'son Daniel and Jean Pierre Gomez with chorus girls Queen Soda and Nice Engelique.They sing in a mix of Pulaar and English and it comes across as quite pleasant but not outstanding. Has a very Senegalese flavour to it with a slow tempo that has a very hypnotic effect.

OUSMANE HAMADY DIOP ALAMARI ALAMA TC £6.50 Another superb album from top rated guitarist and singer Ousmane who's last outing was with Baaba Maal's sidekick Mansour Seck. His tracks made it onto the CD released in Mansour's name as 'Yelayo' and I wonder if he got the knock about that as Mansour isn't on this album but Baaba Maal is??? Also there is Tonia Lo providing the rough edged chorus and helping Ousmane with the guitaring is Assane Ndoye. Bada Seck is the percussionist while Oumar Live Guisse plays some lovely xalam. Baaba is there as backing vocals but its the strong yet melodic Ousmane's voice you hear.

A gorgeous album all the way through and so good that a F.T.Index is almost impossible so I haven't done one. Stunningly beautiful. [10T/45M] OUSMANE HAMADY DIOP ALAMARI ALAMARI TC £5.00 From the same session as Ngatamare it should have been called Ngatamare Vol. 2 but for some unknown reason Ousmane called it Alamari, the same as his 1997 album with Baaba Maal.

However it is totally different from that album and is even noticably different from Ngatamare as after the first two tracks it takes on a much more traditional feel. The same line-up with duets from Ousmane and Belele Diaw which still soar over the tinkling guitars and softly throbbing percussion but the style is much more laid back, almost trance inducing you might say. ( F.T.Index: Allah Wata Ko Hana, Nananti, Wala Fendo, Alamari, Koten Futa, Delya, Thierno Mansour Barro, Guidelam. ) [8T/36M] OUSMANE HAMADY DIOP ARTI SYL83165 TC 6.50 COL Guitarist and singer Ousmane recorded this album at the same time, in the same studio and using the same artists as the Mansour Seck album 'Pouloroubie', except that he has Mansour guesting on all tracks and no Baaba Maal. Faster and with a more modern flavour, it is none the less definitely another case of the classics! Wonderful music and songs.

(F.T.Index: Elimane Boubacar, Fisco Konate, Soukabe Leydam.) [8T/42M] OUSMANE HAMADY DIOP DJIKE KALAD TC £5.00 Another new album from singer and master guitarist Ousmane but this time it is very, very different. Ousmane has stepped back into the ranks with fellow guitarists Mbaye Ndiaye and Papis Cisse plus xalam player Samba Yero Ba. Their combination provides the artistic vehicle on which the vocals of Ousmane, with the help of Korka and Aicha Diallo ride. - Not heard of Korka and Aicha?

You will, I'm sure as their sweetly cat like vocals are just gorgeous. What a cracker of an album! ( F.T.Index: Midioma, Mayel, Otto Yeyam Dole, Sawga, Diombadio, Maly Sadio, Waly Diantang, Kaladiakorridoma. ) [8T/48M] OUSMANE HAMADY DIOP NGATAMARE NGATA TC £6.50 Although he hails from Mauritania Ousmane has established himself in Senegal through his collaboration with the blind singer and guitarist Mansour Seck of Djam Leelii fame with Baaba Maal. Here however he sings and plays guitar with Belele Diaw and this looks to be the start of a great partnership.

Their music is very atmospheric with the guitars picking out the sharply resonant duets against a deep but softly throbbing percussion background. Their singing is gorgeous with Ousmane's incisive vocals echoed by the softer voiced Belele. ( F.T.Index: Africa, Telefonam, Seybatou, Seyna Mousso, Almoudel, Ngatamare, Wango, Thiaygal. ) [8T/40M] OUSMANE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN DJIKO DJIKO TC 6.50 COL A lovely classic style mbalax belter from singer Ousmane with brothers Thione and Mapenda providing the backing vocals for him. Thione's group Le Raam Daan are making the music and are on top form as Adama Sarr's guitar weaves its way through the fast percussions of Barra Ndiaye and Assane Mbaye. Ousmane has obviously been well trained by Thione as I would be hard put to tell them apart on some tracks especially when I'm listening to my favourite.

Recommended without a doubt. (F.T.Index: Taru Djiguene, Daaroo, Aladji, Bamba, Nawle, Djiko. ) [6T/29M] OUZA DIAPASON KSF TC 7.50 COL Absolutely stunning live album with the opening track telling you straight away that this is not the usual Mr Nice Guy with the soft voice and sweet chorus girlies!!!! This album explodes on stage like an atomic bomb! The tama drummers go wild, guitars throb, the saxophonist goes into orbit, while the audience just go ballistic and boy, do I wish I could have been there. Even the slower numbers like A4 and B1 where Ouza gets his breath back and lets the girls takes over gets the audience well whipped up. The leisurely Cuban styled final track sung by one of the girls is just gorgeous.

(F.T.Index: A2, A1, B4, A3, B2, A4, B3, B1.) [8T/54M] OUZA ACK NDIAGUAMAREES SEN SOUGNOU SAMA SENSO TC £6.50 Ouza and a wonderful new set of girls in the shape of Ndeye Niang, Joceline Diouf and Diara Gueye. They all sing beautifully on a range of songs that includes sharply crafted mbalax, semi-traditional and even jazz. Pape Seck and Cheikh Diongue play some mean guitar accompanied by Toumani Kouyate on kora while Cheikh Lo helps on keyboards. Ouza never fails to surprise and this inovative and very very different album is just superb. Definitely recommended.

(F.T.Index: Tamboulaye, Soubanala, Wethe, Sen Sougnou Sama, Baala, Dahra.) [6T/35M] OUZA AND LES FILLES BRANCHEES NDAR ON9001 TC 8.00 COL OUZA AND SES BRANCHEES XADIMO XADIMO TC £10.00 This cassette proved to be one of the most popular new releases in Senegal earlier this year (1996). Ouza is extreemly well known as a spokesman for the opposition having previously been in trouble for critisising the President even before the recent elections. As one of the originators of the modern Mbalax style he is really on brilliant form here with his new band which still retains the golden voice of Maty Thiam on backing vocals. OUZA DIALLO DEMB DEMBOD TC £6.50 Ouza is back to his old sweet singing self and out for the first time with his new set of Ouzettes now that Absa, Touty and Maty have flown the nest. In comes Iba Kebe Samb, Shoula Ndiaye and Viviane Chudid Ndour who all sing beautifully. Also in comes a quite unexpected change of style.

The tracks are a mix of sweet melody, reggae cum ragga and even a smashing Senegalese flavoured rock but all with the honeyed vocals that Ouza and his girls are famous for. Musically its first class with Omar Sow on guitar and Super Etoiles Pape Omar Ngom, Galass Niang and Cheikh Lo on guitar, drums and keyboards respectively. (F.T.Index: Lat-Dior, Bouba, Thiaroye, Nobel, Ba Sakhar Ba Youkho, Yaye Ami. ) [6T/28M] OUZA ET SES OUZETTES DUNIA GASSY DUNIA TC 10.00 COL Another smashing album from Ouza which starts off as a slightly low key affair of smooth and gentle mbalax with the Ouzettes gorgeous vocals as usual making the running By the time you get to the end of side one Ouza himself and guitarist Pape Gueye have also managed to get in on the act with the lovely Deugueu.

The title track opens side two with a traditional display using only the drums of Imame Sene and Pape Yaly to provide the backing for the super singing of the girls, rather like the last track on Abi Ndour's album. The last two tracks return to the modern sounds of Senegal with the really dreamy Gamou Guy, which owes its source to reggae rather than mbalax and the dance floor orientated Naxe Mbaye II. [38M] OUZA ET SES OUZETTES MODOU MODOU MODOU TC 6.50 COL The second new album and once again the interplay of soft guitar and the 'Ouzettes' vocals is lovely but this time the Mbalax rhythm has a much harder and pronounced edge. The drums laying down the patterns with some lovely stabbing horn play to enhance Ouza's plaintive singing. (The F.T.Index: Gambia, Sopeku, Dedounama) OUZA ET SES OUZETTES TAWATAL TAWATAL TC 10.00 COL Having heard his previous albums which were very good my first thoughts on hearing the first track were 'Where the hell did this spring from, its absolutely ace.

OK, so the first track is great, but what about the others? Mega Magic maybe?

Not quite but not far off either. Definitely one of the best of the new breed of soulful mbalax albums that can sustain the listeners attention time after time.

The modern line up of guitars, drums and keyboards together with the superb singing of the 'Ouzettes' is absolute magic. OUZIN NDIAYE AND LE SUPER ETOILE SAMA YENE SAMA TC £6.50 Release number two from Super Etoile's second vocalist - Ousin - and this time round he has backing him not only the lovely voiced Viviane but also Youssou himself. Ousin's gravelly delivery is perfectly matched by their sweet tinged vocals but for effect it's got to be the stunning Borom Daara-ji where Youssou and Ousin share the lead. (F.T.Index: Borom Daara-ji, Guenel, Jeunesse, Diisso, Law Lathiatt. ) [6T/28M] OUZIN NDIAYE AND SUPER ETOILE FECC FECC TC £10.00 Youssou Ndour takes a back seat while Etoile's second singer, Ouzin has an outing.

Full of the complex rhythmic interplay that epitomizes Super Etoile's music, the album is going to be very sought after especially for the tracks 'Xew Xew and Diambar' which also feature Youssou. As usual Jimmy Mbaye's guitar and Assane Thiam's percussion are in a class of their own. The new and much more dynamic version of 'Baye Waly' is gorgeous. 'Magnifique' 1. MAME BAMBA 3.

DIAMBAR OUZIN NDIAYE AND SUPER ETOILE SPECIAL AN 2000 - WOR WOR TC £7.00 Another very classy release from Super Etoile's second singer with help in the vocal department from Youssou, Viviane and Ablaye Mbaye. As usual Assane Thiam's Tama clatters away at breakneck speed throughout while the guitars of Jimmy Mbaye and Pape Oumar Ngom perform wonders. In fact on Natta, Assane turns in an absolutely mind boggling performance that is not to be missed at any price. ( F.T.Index: Wor, Natta, Lawla Thiat, Djirim, Bamba, Serigne Mansour. ) [6T/36M] 1.

SERIGNE MANSOUR 2. LAWLA THIAT 4. BAMBA PAP JIBIBA AND PAP MBUP CENTENAIRE-BI 1895 - 1995 JOLOLI TC 7.50 COL PAPA NDIAYE GUEWEL AOI AOI TC £7.00 An explosive start as gutsy singer Papa takes on the mighty sound of eight other drummers and keeps ahead - just! Helping are Ndongo Lo, who leads on the last track and the sweet voiced Aminata Mbengue. Also adding a bit of nice background where needed is keyboard man Boubacar Konate (Papis).

However its the drummers who are the main driving force behind this album and to be honest if they were behind me I'd have definitely exited, stage left, very sharpish. Here comes Sopi again and I'm out of here! By the way, this cassette is driving them wild in Senegal. ( F.T.Index: Sopi, Colobane, Bara Mbaye, Nekh-na, AOI, Deeg Deeg.

) [6T/28M] PAPE DIOUF PARTIR PARTIR CD 12.75 COL I didn't go much on the opening track but after that the party animal come out to play with his gravelly voice and throbbing music. Definitely one to keep a close watch on. CHALLENGER 6.

JOGLEEN YENGU 7. GENERATION CONSCIENTE 8. JOGGEL DAAGU 10.

JIMMY DOGO PAPE FALL A L'AFRICAN SALSA ARTISANAT ARTISANAT TC £5.00 Pape growls his way through a lovely set of salsa tracks with the sweet voice of fellow vocalist Balla Moussa Sidibe providing a most interesting contrast. The music is slow, simple, sensuous and infectiously Salsa with the drums pattering away while the guitars provide the rhythmic backing to the up front vocals. Pape Souleymane Gueye and Bassirou Lo provide the horns which make their entrance proper over on side two with a bit of flute and keyboards for added flavour - and very tasty it all is too. ( F.T.Index: Artisanat, Diongoma Senegal, Senegal 2000, Teungueth, Thiouraye Gongo, Adji Sey Yi.

) [6T/33M] PAPE FALL AND L'AFRICAN SALSA KE JARAXAM KE JARAXAM TC 6.50 COL Vocalist with the famous 'Star Band' of Dakar, he has been off the scene for some years but now bounces back with his distinctive salsa style. Backing comes from a small group which includes Cheikh Tidiane Tall who seems to play keyboards and anything else he can get his hands on and ex-Baobab vocalist and timbales player Balla Sidibe. The album has become very popular in Senegal and you'll realise why as soon as you listen to it. Even though I must admit I couldn't stand the sound of 'Africando' this album I found very intriguing as it somehow seems to retain its laid back African roots even when you get to the classic Cuban sound of Seyni 'Plus'!? (F.T.Index: Teungueth, Ke Jaraxam, African Salsa, Seyni 'Plus'.

) [6T/33M] PATHE THIAM WORULEU WORULEU TC 10.00 COL Wow. Great bit of mbalax as Pathe's vocals and the band's explosive introduction nearly took the speakers off the wall and had me diving for cover under the desk.

Fast and furious would be a quite apt description as the tama driven music rushes along for the first three tracks at breakneck speed. M'birou Yalla gives you a breather with its soft and haunting kora set to a percussive backdrop which is probably why it puts in a second appearance at the end of side two. It is also to my mind the best track as Adja Meisse gets to show off her smokey vocals to great effect.

( F.T.Index: M'birou Yalla, Nitte, Woruleu, Aida, Doylou, Liwarane, Tiekete. ) [8T/39M] PIERROT SARR AND LE GROUPE GELMACK CASAMANCE - KASOUMAI - JAKHANOR NJUUP TC 10.00 COL Released in 1997 and is one of the strangest albums I have heard in a long time. They come from the Casamance region so the music is quite different to that from the North. Pierrot's monotone vocals needs to be heard to be believed while the band seems to be composed of two groups playing the same tunes but in their own different styles. The music is actually very nice in a strange way and becomes quite addictive, so have a listen and you'll see what I mean.

PIERRE MBAGNICK NDIAYE 3. WALY ROYAL BAND DIEUF DIEUL MEANWHILE IN THIES. (DKS020) 2990414 CD 11.99 COL SAFARABI REGGAE BUSH DJIMBE TC 7.50 COL SALAM DIALLO DALLAS DIABATE DALLAS TC £5.00 Ex - Lemzo shouter and vocalist returns from detention in France for sex with an underage girl to produce his debut cassette. Nice photo, obviously a handsome boy which is why the ladies all love him. Percussion very much to the fore as the five sabar players including Salam, plus the tama of Pape Diouk and the drums of Jules Diallo explode into a set of thunderous mbalax tracks. Cracking rapid fire vocals from Salam are backed by the sweetly warbling voice of the aptly named Titi Tine.

Also in there somewhere is some nice kora, a bit of trumpet and sax and a couple of unobtrusive keyboards. ( F.T.Index: Atterrissages Plus, Griankar Roza, Sant Serigne Saliou, Lionnes Yi, Roza (remix), Baby, Dallas Diabate, Lena Fall Diagne.

) [8T/39M] SALAM DIALLO 2000 YA MA SAF SOIREE TC £5.00 SALY MBAYE MAME DIARRA BOUSSO BOUSSO TC £6.50 The drums and xalam of the first few seconds tell you that this is going to be a beaut of an album and Saly hasn't even opened her mouth yet! The thunderous voice when she does is awe inspiring to say the least but her power is countered balanced beautifully by the girls in the chorus. However the true magic of this album lies with Malick Soce and Ibou Lobou, their xalam playing backed by the drums of Kabaye Mbengue and Ali Mbaye stole the show totally for me.

(F.T.Index: Manka Yira, Saloum Wetna, Sanonyi Dougnou Contane) [7T/37M] SALY MBAYE TEENOU POROKHANE TEENOU TC £6.50 A really lovely album of traditional music and songs from Saly and her three girl chorus. Tama player Ali Mbaye sets a thrilling pace while Pape Ndiaye pulsates serenely on the rest of the mixed percussion. The hypnotic xalam playing of Gorgui and Malick Soce is simply wonderful and thankfully Cheikh Tidiane Tall's bass keyboard stays firmly in the background while he and Youssou's brother Ndiaga get on with the directing and mixing. They say that good things come in small packages and this album is definitely one of them. (F.T.Index: Diambar La, Trawo, Ndaga, Dawoul Xarre. ) [6T/28M] SALY MBAYE AND LE NGOYANE SALOUM SALOUM JAMBOR TC £5.00 Another lovely traditional album from the strident and gravel voiced Saly. Vocal backing to the fore this time as she has no less than five in her chorus line-up.

Malick Soce once again beautifully tinkles the strings of his xalam while Wack Sene and Pape Ndiaye provide the all important mixed perccussion elements. Cheikh Tidiane Tall and his keyboard and bass guitar are for the most part well hidden in the background and don't intrude at all, which is very nice for all of us real music lovers. ( F.T.Index: Jalore-Mama, Tidiane-La, Jambor-Ba, Al Waar, Nassirou, Jeungueth. ) [6T/32M] SANE DIANKHA SOKHNA DIARRA SOKHNA TC £5.00 Gravel voiced singer Sane and her group blast out some real Mbalax rippers. The tama of Mor Sene belts out an infectious beat for the guitars of Alioune Gueye and Coly and Papis Cisse while the keyboard of El Hadj Soumare drops in with some lovely sampling. The four girls who make up the chorus almost steal the limelight with their beautiful singing which reminded me very much of the harmonies that have made Ouza's Ouzettes so sought after. Definitely different and definitely recommended.

(F.T.Index: Ganay, Sokhna Diarra, Sama Yaye, Mame Cheikh, Xaley Senegal, Dioulit Day Diamou Yalla.) [6T/30M] SANOKHO SALUT L'ARTISTE SALUT TC 6.50 COL A strange album from the recently deceased comedy star Sanokho. The music has that slightly manic element that makes it stand out from the rest but just wait until you hear his 'Characters' take over on the tracks 'Hindou' and 'Departement Birama Ndofane'. OK, so you can't understand Wolof humour? Well if you listen carefully I'm sure you'll soon get the gist of it and enjoy all the music as well! Index: Soumsoum, Samedi, Diongoma Rafete) NB. Slight left track hiss on all recordings. SECK MBAO LAAKONE LAAKO TC £6.50 A lovely and vocally unusual mostly mbalax album from singer Seck Mbao.

His rich but also very distinctively rumbling voice is a delight to listen too as he purrs through a showcase of songs. Keyboard master Tapha Faye is in charge and once again does a great job behind the cracking percussion of Papa Ndiaye. The title track is a real cracker with Papa's drumming aiming to wake the dead and Seck and the chorus giving it full throttle. (F.T.Index: Laakone, Niitou Ba Lakale, Bamba Dji, Gane Gui, Ndeupeu-Mi, Lou Apa Bajot. )[6T/27M] SECK SISTERS SALARNIKOU SALAR TC £5.00 Definitely more Secks than you can handle as the lovely Laye Bamba, Ndikou, Khady, Anta and Koura, daughters of Thione Seck try their hand at the family business. This is their first cassette release and unexpectedly not only can they sing quite sweetly but they can also play drums and guitars.

Robert Lahoud takes charge in the studio helped by percussionist El Hadj Faye to add a bit of polish to the sisters mbalax. Dad has been chaperoning them on their recent tour of Gambia and Senegal and under his watchful eye has whisked them away in a taxi as soon as the gig is finished. No chance of any post gig hanky panky! (F.T.Index: Seck Sisters, Amy Sourang,, Salarnikou, Police Senegal, Minuit, Saxarga.) [6T/28M] SECKA ET LE SUPER ROYAL BAND DE THIES JOMBA GNAW JOMBA TC 6.50 COL Secka - Adama Seck, has a most distinctive and listenable voice and his sweetly rasping style is beautifully matched in Jacky Seck's smoky saxophone playing. Guitarists Pape Seck and Souleymane Ndiaye are on top form and have guesting with them Super Etoile's Jimi Mbaye for added interest. The music from this band from Thies is quite intriguing as on most tracks the guitars play quite slowly in contrast to the drummers who zoom along as if racing to the finish.

A smashing album all the way through. ( F.T.Index: Sey, Ki La Nekh, Koulay Mir Loo, Jomba Gnaw, Mouridoulahi, Waajour, Fiire. ) [7T/34M] SEDHIOU BAND AFRICA KAMBENG - Vol.

4 KAMBE TC £5.00 The second of the new Sedhiou albums which was recorded at the same time in Dakar's Studio 2000. Not quite as bouncy and rumbustuous as Vol. 3 but still with a political slant. Google Chrome 29 Offline Installer Free Download. However that doesn't stop it from being another lovely album.

(F.T.Index: Kuyito, Simnaa, Ndooli Woo Ndooli, Ndeye Ndeye. ) [6T/37M] SEDHIOU BAND DIMBAYAA - Vol.

3 DIMBA TC £5.00 Last time out the band was only 14 strong, now they are 18 and the sound gets bigger and better. Coming from Sedhiou on the Casamance river the band excel at playing their relaxing yet bouncy Jolo sounds typical of southern Senegal. Possibly through a recording deal they are actively promoting the ' A.P.R.C.' Party of Gambia to some rollicking good music with drums by the ton, loads of guitar and some very infectious vocals where everyone seems to join in. This is a lovely album. (F.T.Index: Dimbayaa.

A.P.R.C., Khady Kebe, Dankeneya, Drame Kandji Mooro,Yaya A.J.J Jammeh. ) [6T/37M] SENEMALI JAMBAAR SYL83138 TC £6.50 A great solid guitar and percussion album enhanced by some great vocals from Mollo Sylla, Mamadou Thiam and Doudou Dione plus backing from Guadaloupee. Reminds me very much of 'Toure Kunda' with its guitar and organ interplay backed by some super horn overtones. Recorded at studios HP and Cavein in Amsterdam, it's definitely going places. As a 'Toure Kunda' superfan I think it's a superb tribute to their musical style.

RECOMMENDED WITHOUT A DOUBT. SEYDINA INSA WADE LIBAAS LIBAAS TC 10.00 COL A really wonderful album from Seydina Insa Wade which reminded me very much of 'Xariit Taffa by Diogal Sakho', who proved to be one of the top sellers of the last newsletter. Seydina's sweet as honey voice is so good and crystal clear that producer Moustapha Camara even has him doing his own chorus. The music is simply heavenly as Seydina proves to be also a very accomplished acoustic guitar player.

The music is made even more atmospheric by the haunting tones of Helene Billard's violincello and Phillippe Gobinet's flute backed up by Georges Walfort's bass guitar and Laity M'bay's soft percussion. No F.T.Index as I loved every track. MBOKKI MBAAR 8. CAAT SEYDINA INSA WADE XALIMA SG001 CD £13.95 From the mbalax rhythms of Mag du Caaxaan to the dance grooves of Ginkgo Bilboa, the Senegalese singer and songwriter Seydina moves with the times to create memorable tunes and audacious arrangements which assure him his rightfull place in the galaxy of contemorary Senegalese stars. Mind you he does get a bit of help from Les Freres Guisse, Oumar Sow and Souleymane Faye so you would expect it to be a cracking album and it certainly is that. SEYDINA INSA WADE YOFF ESP8417 LP 10.00 COL SIMON SENE MAGAL SIMON TC £6.50 To make a hit in Dakar today just find an unknown acoustic 'folklore' artist, put him in a studio with Tapha Faye, add his ubiquitous mbalax keyboard sound and boom you have an instant hit! The title track is guaranteed to get the listeners dancing while 'Roi Des Arenes' which is about local Senegalese wrestling champion 'Tyson' will have them cheering their heads off.

Well that's according to my guy in Dakar. Actually its the other tracks which feature lovely traditional singing from Simon and the girls backed by loads of tama drumming and where Tapha hardly gets a look in that are my favourites. Looking at the inlay card, I'd would have loved to hear him play that home made 'Quality Street' two string tin banjo!

(F.T.Index: Maayaay, Greve, Fexwe, A Cang, Hommage A Mbissane, Magal, Roi Des Arenes, O Young.) [8T/36M] SODA MAMA FALL MOHAMED SERIGNE CHEICKH 1994 TC 6.50 COL Outstanding album of beautiful traditional based music. For the most part the percussionists stay in the background while the lovely kora and xalam playing of Toumany Kouyateh and Dame Mbaye comes to the front. Add to that the power packed roughness of Soda's echoing vocals and that of the chorus and you have a superb set of tracks that you will never tire of hearing.On 'Serigne MB. Lo' the percussionist have a wonderful jam session while the strings have sneaked out for a quick beer. (F.T.Index: Dougoudougou, Samba Khary, Darou Salam, Serigne MB.

Lo, Mbacke Faye) [8T/51M] SODA MAMA FALL SERIGNE MBACKE SOKHNA LO ON9203J2 TC 8.00 COL SODA MAMA FALL TAIF AK BAILA TAIF TC 8.00 COL Explosive traditional album with Soda's stunning vocals powering out but not overwhelming the superb kora, balafon and xalam string players or the various percussion instruments and I mustn't forget the flute playing of Saraba. Also in there is Ouza who does the arrangements and plays keyboard and bass along side Cheikh Lo. ( F.T.Index: Daff, Oumou Xairy, Cora Fall, Visa, Ndaaq, Domou Adama, Xady Lo.) [8T/M] SOLO CISSOKHO ALAL PCS TC 7.00 COL I wasn't that impressed by the first track but I sure as hell was with the other seven tracks which got progressively better and climaxed with the beautiful and deeply atmospheric Jarabi. Solo sings beautifully and plays some lovely kora, backed by the complimentary electric guitar playing of Cheikh Tidiane Tall.

Traditional guitar, marimbas, sabar, keyboards and various percussion instrumentation complete the line-up of this very popular album. (The F.T.Index: Jarabi, Reewonde, Sanu, Kayra, Yiro Koto) SOULEYMAN FAYE PAIN BOULETTE AVP016 TC £10.00 Sharply delivered vocals from Souleymane with backing on three tracks by a youthful Coumba Gawlo Seck. Solid percussion from Mame Beye is backed up by some rather interesting keyboard and lovely guitar work from Omar Sow. The first four tracks are nice but the fifth - Mariamma - a real catchy little number is now my firm favorite. The final track, Waxnaniou, has to be heard to be believed. I can only say it is excruciatingly addictive! MEISSA BIGUE 3.

FOUKI DIOUNI 4. SANDANG SOULEYMANE FAYE GUEW SYLAF96070 CD 12.35 COL Great album from former Xalam singer Souleymane who links up here with members of Lemzo Diamono and backing girls Olivia and Awa Maiga. Rock solid arrangement from Lemzo and magic vocals from Souleymane make this album a real treasure. Tracks 5 and 10 are definite all time favourites. SOULEYMANE FAYE GUEWE GUEWE TC £5.00 Great album from former Xalam singer Souleymane who links up here with members of Lemzo Diamono and backing girls Olivia and Awa Maiga. Rock solid arrangement from Lemzo and magic vocals from Souleymane make this album a real treasure. Probably more Paris than Dakar in appeal so tracks 5 and 10 that appear on the CD are not on this Senegalese issued tape release.

SOURAKATA KOITE SENEGAMBIA KAL601 LP 8.00 COL STAR BAND DE DAKAR BIRAME PENDA VAGANE IK3030 LP 25.00 COL STARBAND NUMBER ONE DE DAKAR NO. III DE NUMBER 1 ADC307 CD £13.20 This Afro-Cuban style eleven track compilation from Gunter Gretz can be summed up in three words - Pure Senegalese Magic. Tracks: Junto A Un Canaveral, Alee, Yonou Dara Ji, Liti-liti, Ndaga Seeri Boy, Senegal Jambaar, Kaniaane, Yeli Bana, Takoussane, Geej, Viva Number One. SUPER CAYOR DE DAKAR AND SON SALSA MBALAX SOPENTE SOPENTE TC £6.50 SUPER DIAMONO ADAMA N'DIAYE PN001 TC 6.50 COL SUPER DIAMONO CHEIKH ANTA DIOP 08530-1 LP £8.00 SUPER DIAMONO ETUDIANT ETUDIANT TC 8.00 COL SUPER DIAMONO JEANNE D'ARC JEANNE TC £10.00 SUPER DIAMONO NEW LOOK (THE LETTER) NEW LOOK TC 6.50 COL Also some times called 'The Letter' as the super and very attractive cover is in the form of an air mail letter. This again has a change of lineup from the Diamono of old as the keyboards are played by Ousmane Sow and Moussa Diouf.

Released in 1991 the most popular track in Dakar was 'Beyrout' for which a video clip was produced. SUPER DIAMONO PASSEPORT ST2000 TC 6.50 COL Released in 1990 or there abouts, this is the first Super Diamono cassette to feature their new guitarist Oumar Sow as Lamin Faye, their guitarist for over ten years had recently left them. However Oumar doesn't let the side down at all and the recording quality and songs are well up to the usual Diamono standards.

SUPER DIAMONO SOUF SOUF TC 10.00 COL 1. DOUWAY SUPER DIAMONO DE DAKAR MAM 8011 LP 10.00 COL SUPER DIAMONO DE DAKAR PEOPLE 8519 CD 12.50 COL SUPER DIAMONO DE DAKAR PEOPLE ENC139K TC £7.00 SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR NDEETEL WEER WI Vol.1 NDEETEL TC 10.00 COL SUPER RETRO RYTHMS MBAYMI SUPER TC 8.00 COL Brilliant old style Mbalax harking back to the original Cuban influenced rhythms of the 60's and early 70's. Loads and loads of first rate guitar and simple percussion with some great trombone from Sunday Omar. This album got them the runners up prize at the 1991 St. Louis Feastival, they were definitely robbed. From the picture on the cover there doesn't appear to be anybody under forty and the wealth of accumulated experience really stands out on this gorgeous album.

Just listen to that lovely guitar from Babacar Seck on Leddy Sara. DIEG BOU BAKH 4. LEDDY SARA 6. ASSE SUZANNE N'GOMY DIAM N'GULOOK SUZAN TC £6.50 A very well made and nice album from singer Suzanne but not outstanding enough to make it into stock.

TAMA WOYOU TALIBE WOYOU TC 6.50 COL Tama is a duo made up of singer/songwriters Badou Boy and Pape Armand Boye who play both acoustic and electric guitar and in addition Pape is also rather good on the harmonica. Backing comes from Tapha Faye and Ibou Cisse's keyboards, Galass Niang, Mbaye Dieye Faye and Assane Thiam's percussion and Pathe Jassy's bass. The songs have a laid back and quite folksy feel about them which makes a nice change from the hard side of mbalax. (F.T.Index: Missal, Yama Daboon Ci Yoon, Woyou Talibe, Marie Sala, Mboolo Mi, Les Vielles Cabanes Ensorcelees, Sentu Na, Music. ) [8T/38M] TANOR TITA MBAYE DEFEL DEFEL CD 12.95 COL Tanor Tita Mbaye is a singer, composer and author who started singing at the age of eight. Before embarking on his music career he was a professor of arts education in Dakar.

Since deciding to devote himself to music in 2003 he has had two hit albums, this is one the other is 'Thikiliki'. THIO MBAYE RIMBAX SYL83158 TC £10.00 Thio, long time percussionist with Ismael Lo and a well respected session musician in Paris and Dakar, with his first solo release. Helped along by Ibrahima Sylla who gives the album his customary hi-tec polish.

Mainly Mbalax but with a bit of Jazz thrown in for good measure but the drums to the fore throughout. TAPHA GUEYE 7. MOUSS MI THIONE SECK DEMB DEMB TC £10.00 This album from Thione is purely and simply brilliant!

His power packed voice has always sent shivers of delight up the back of my neck but this time he has really excelled himself. Helping to weave the vocal magic are Pape Seck Mafatim, Ndeye Marie Ndiaye and even the lovely Coumba Gawlo Seck. The music is very traditional with loads of lovely xalam (Senegalese guitar) from Dara Guisse and some great sabar drumming from Mousse Pathe Mbaye. Given the choice between this and Baaba Maal's new album, Thione wins, but it was a close run thing.

Index: Djirim, Laye Mboup, Dieylo, Bamba. ) [6T/55M] 2. LAYE MBOUP 6. SOPEKOU THIONE SECK DEMB 2 DEMB2 TC £10.00 Smashing album in the popular semi-traditional style with Thione's melodic voice leading a five strong chorus through a gorgeous set of tracks.

Dara Guisse's xalam tinkles away merrily in pole position while Bara Ndiaye's sabar provides the beautiful percussive backing. The only other musician is Jean Charles who's keyboards and bass guitar are hardly noticable. Yaye Boy, an old favorite, sounds particularly interesting after it's had the semi-trad make over. But beware - don't have the volume up too loud at the start of 'Dome' unless you're really into babies screaming the house down, it could be yours! MUSICIEN THIONE SECK LE POUVOIR D'UN COEUR PUR STERNS1023 LP £10.00 From his early cassettes re-recorded in Paris. Simple to describe - SUPERB.

MANE MI GNOUL 3. AIDA SOUKEU THIONE SECK ORIENTATION STCD1100 CD £12.50 Siiw, Yaye, Blain Djigueul, Woyatina, Mapenda, Manmignoul, Ballago, Assalo, Mouhahibou, Djirim, Doom, Mouhamadou Bamba. Well that's the tracks on the CD so now time to delve into the volume one cassette and find out what is the missing track L'Epervier? Re-named or something entirely different. THIONE SECK PAPA PAPA TC 15.00 COL Released at the end of 1991, this very popular tape of new material from Dakar shows off Thione's vocal style a treat. I particularly like the last track with it's twangy guitar sound! LAYE MBOUP 4.

PAPA THIONE SECK YOW 38777-1 LP £10.00 Very nice Paris - Studio Harryson - recorded album arranged by keyboard player Manou Lima for Syllart. YOW THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN DAALY SYL83199 TC £7.00 Unmistakably a Paris recording, Studio Harryson to be precise and with the usual Slominsky. Hatot and Bolognesi guesting on horns. Adama Sarr plays lead guitar and Modou Diop the rhythm, but quietly.

This album is definitely out to let you hear Thione's pleading vocals at their best. This departure from the more usual mbalax backing comes as a bit of a surprise but I must admit it's a very pleasant one. Even the reminiscent of the 60's style rock chorus the girls sing on 'Momy' sounds good when Thione gets to grips with it. A very nice and also an extremely listenable album.

(F.T.Index: Daaly, Madjiguene, France, Gaddaye. ) [8T/52M] THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN TANE SA BOULA NEKH ST/2000 TC 20.00 COL This 1994 release from Thione and his band is simply superb. He appears to have taken all that is best from his previous releases and built afresh upon their foundations. His softly swaying vocal style is perfectly matched to Adama Sarr's guitar playing and the percussive element has been superbly tailored to suit. We've had 'Chuck Berry Mboup' before but on this one I found percussionist 'God Sylla'. The mind absolutely boggles! INCREDIBLE - HAVE A LISTEN.

KAYE FONEMA 2. LITHIAM THIELY 5. TALAL LOKHO 6. XEW XEW THIONE SECK - VARIOUS ARTISTS (CDx2) CHAUFFEUR BI - 100% DOUBLE CONCENTRE (DKS006) 2002851 CD 14.80 COL THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN 15th ANIVERERSAIRE DU RAAM DAAN Vol. 1 XV1 TC £6.50 Starts off with a smashing version of his classic hit 'Yaye Boy' with Adama Sarr's guitar showing the way and Jules Diop's drums leading rather than backing the three sabar drummers until they stage a coup halfway through and then things really start to motor. From that point on there's no looking back as Barra Ndiaye, Assane Mbeye and Medoune Ndiaye crank up their sabars and deliver the goods.

Great singing from Thione all the way through but the question remains - who's the girl singer belting it out on Ngeweul??? ( F.T.Index: Siiw, Yaye Boy, Ngeweul, Yeureumko, Khewi. ) [5T/44M] THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN 15th ANIVERERSAIRE DU RAAM DAAN Vol. 2 XV2 TC 10.00 COL Vol 2 continues where Vol 1 left off with the drummers still belting out the mbalax sound to Thione's gorgeous vocals. Why Thione didn't call the albums 'Greatest Hits' I don't know as all his most memorable songs are contained on these two cassettes.

Also, as the songs were recorded live in front of an audience at Studio 2000 they aren't the short versions you got on previous releases, they're huge great things with with everyone really putting it into giving the audience thier moneys worth. Get both for 92 minutes of pure magic. ( F.T.Index: Sakh Yi, Gadaay, Dieylo, Ballago, Madjiguene, Diongoma. ) [6T/48M] THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN DIAPASON VOL. 2 THDV2 TC 6.50 COL From Thione, the acclaimed poet and philosopher of mbalax the second of two new albums which feature new live versions of some of his original hits most of which were not released over here and even those that were bear little resemblance to these live versions. Thione still stays faithful to that marvellous original mbalax sound which brought him to prominence many years ago, with his voice powering out over the guitars of Adama Sarr and Moussa Ngom.

Blain-Djigueul is a killer. (F.T.Index Vol 2: Blain-Djigueul, Diabar Sama, Yaye Boy, M'Barodi, Bon Anniversaire.) [5T/45M] THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN DIEULLEUL AB002TC TC 15.00 COL Released in 1988 this still stands as one of his best tapes ever, recorded at Paris multitrack 'Studio Ornano', it shows his band 'Le Raam Daan' at their best with their tightly arranged dance format. Essential for all fans of Thione's music. The stand out track is 'Domou Baye' and the tape also has a dub remix version which wasn't on the French version which was available over here in limited quantity about a year ago. GAYE MASSAR 5.

SANDAGA DUB THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN LE NO. 10 SP001 TC £15.00 Superb in all departments. Great vocals from Thione and some gorgeous music from Le Raam Daan. Not to be missed. KHALEL THIONE SECK AND LE RAAM DAAN PUR M'BALAX 91101 TC £15.00 Here I am in 2008 with this cassette that has been sitting on my shelf since it was released back in 1991. Having just got it out again I am astounded to find that the track information is incorrect.

While side A is correct the tracks listed for side B are Kilifeu, Diongona and Gadaay. However as you can see from the list on the right not only are they not in the correct order (or spelling) but there is an additional track that isn't listed except on the cassette case. But enough about that and lets just say that this is a superb album with great singing from Thione with backing from Assane Ndiaye and Mapenda Seck. A cracking pace set by Mousse Pathe's tama is matched in leisurely style by Adama Sarr's lead guitar. KILIFEU THIONE SECK ET SON ENSEMBLE CHAUFFEUR BI VAL002 LP 0.00 COL His first solo album released in 1980 has a much more traditional Wolof style that the later m'balax albums that we all know and love.

DIOULE LAWAR 4. CHAUFFEUR BI 5. DIAMONO Y TEY 6. GAMBIA TIDIANE GAYE AND LE DIEUF-DIEUL WAXONALAKO PSIC TC 7.00 COL One of those magic albums that grab your ears right at the start and just won't let go! Tidiane's sharply delivered vocals stand out beautifully from the wonderfully sweet guitar playing of Assane Diop while in the background the clattering tama sets a tremendous pace augmented by kora, drums and some great keyboard. Musically it is mbalax but very unusual and tremendously interesting in the way it has been blended with other musical styles.

Definitely recommended. ( F.T.Index: Africa, Saly, Sunu Rew, Abdoul Aziz, Ndiguel, Waxonalako, Laissez-Nous Parler, Adama Diop. ) [8T/38M] TIM TIMOL DIARAMA DIARAMA TC £6.00 Four strong rappers Tim Timol belting it out like there's no tomorrow. Guest artists include Pa Bobo on kora, Djiby Guisse on guitar and Mamane Thiam on tama.

[8T/?M] TITI KUNE AK LILA YENGEL KUNE TC 7.00 COL TOURE KUNDA AMADOU TILO 67047-2 CD 12.95 COL I just love the Toure Brothers with their catchy lyrics and varied styles. This album was released in memory of brother Amadou who died in 1983 and is a cracker from start to finish. Rarely off my turntable back in the 80's as was their Emma Africa album 1. AMADOU TILO 2. CASA DI MANSA 3. LEMENE KURU 7.

TOURE KUNDA AMADOU TILO CELL6646 LP £10.00 I just love the Toure Brothers with their catchy lyrics and varied styles. This album was released in memory of brother Amadou who died in 1983 and is a cracker from start to finish. Rarely off my turntable back in the 80's as was their Emma Africa album 1.

AMADOU TILO 2. CASA DI MANSA 3. LEMENE KURU 7. TOURE KUNDA CASAMANCE AU CLAIR DE LUNE CELL6102CD CD 12.00 COL TOURE KUNDA CASAMANCE AU CLAIR DE LUNE CELL6102 LP £10.00 A real belter of an album with the brothers setting a cracking pace with a mixture of modern and traditional instrument. No wonder they could sell out the Gare Du Nord and had a pile of French top 10's.

An all singing, all dancing throbber from start to finish with the exception of Amadou Tilo, a tribute to fellow band member and brother the late Amadou. TOURE KUNDA E'MMA - AFRICA 6129 CD 10.95 COL Pure magic as Senegalese super group 'Brothers Toure' belt out their mix of the local rhythms and reggae. The songs are easy to learn and wonderful to sing along too. TOURE KUNDA KARADINDI 6137 CD £10.95 More magic from France's all-time favourite Senegalese group 'Brothers Toure'. I have heard that just about every album they have issued has been at least a million seller and when you hear this, you won't be surprised. TOURE KUNDA LIVE PARIS - ZIGUINCHOR 67038-2 CD 12.50 COL TOURE KUNDA MOUSLAI WE833 CD 13.99 COL Very rich musically and vocally but in a some what softer way when compared to their original recordings. The spontaneity of sound that made the brothers so marvellous is still here with Hatot and Slominski's brass leaping in and spicing up the slightly bland re-working of some of their original hits.

Still magic all said and done. TOURE KUNDA NATALIA CELL6740 LP 8.00 COL TOURE KUNDA SANTHIABA (NEW RECORDINGS) 3131132 CD 13.95 COL TOURE KUNDA SARANA SYL900 TC 7.00 COL TOURE KUNDA SILI BETO CB521 TC 8.00 COL WOW!

My long time favourites from the 80's have surfaced from their homeland hideaway with a new album that's absolutely bleeding incredible. The same formula that made them one of the hottest bands to ever hit the Paris music scene is still very much in evidence but this time its been mellowed by their return to the roots of their success. The brothers wonderfully complimentary and coordinated vocal harmonies are really brought to the fore by the sheer beauty and simplicity of the music. All the wonderful horns, guitars, keyboards and percussion that you would normally associate with their French hits are still there tucked away behind the new style rootsy vocals. Ten new tracks plus a stunningly re-worked version of their old mega hit 'On Verra Ca' is going to make this album totally indispensable. TOURE KUNDA SOUNKE - EN CONCERT 710344 CD £10.95 TOURE KUNDA TERRA SAABI 67052-2 CD 13.15 COL 1. DIBOUKOKOU LAMBE 3.

S.D.F./ HOMELESS 6. TERRA SAABI 9. TOUMOURANKE 10.

TORMONDON 12. CINDY TOURE KUNDA TERRA SAABI TERRA TC £5.00 TOURE KUNDA TOURE KUNDA (1981) 67045-2 CD 12.50 COL The origin 39 minute 9 track cracker that has been a favourite album of mine for more years than I care to remember. BAND JAZZ DE SEDHIOU SAMAALAA VOLUME II A PARIS SAMAALAA TC 6.50 COL This is the second session from the Union Culturelle and Artistique de Sedhiou, recorded at the same time as the album above and it is just as delightful. The softer and more melodic singing style of the Casamance region really shines through when you compared it to the sharp edged sounds that come from Northern Senegal. (F.T.Index: Nje, Samaalaa, Waanaa, Nancoolu. ) [6T/36M] U.C.A.S. BAND JAZZ DE SEDHIOU SAROO VOLUME I A PARIS SAROO TC 6.50 COL From Sedhiou on the Casamance river this 14 strong mixed band play the relaxing and very fragrant Jolo sounds typical of southern Senegal.

Recorded in Paris the music has plenty of drumming, some lovely guitar play and super soft singing to round it all off. (F.T.Index: Lansana, Yaa Musoolu, Saroo, Sindiina, Nenne Suuxo, Ahun Saani. ) [6T/35M] N.B. For those of you who have 'Saaroo' released by the group in 1994 this is not the same album, just a similar name. UCAS BAND TAKUSSANOU NDAKAROU VOL-I TAKUSS1 CD 12.00 COL This is the first of a pair of cracking albums, rough sounding but with that something that makes you sit up and listen to their gutsy raucous vocals and energetically played music. So atmospheric that it really does feel like you in there partying with the rest of the audience.

Reminded me of super group Toure Kunda who also came from the same Casamance region. [39M] UCAS BAND TAKUSSANOU NDAKAROU VOL-II TAKUSS2 CD 12.00 COL Like the Volume I, a slowish and still rough sounding album with that little something that makes you want to sit up and listen to the gutsy vocals and softly played music. Laid back Mbalax style for the first two tracks and then into a superb bit of Cuban rumba.

I don't even like rumba but I loved this one and the rest is just gorgeous. Again it is extreemly atmospheric and captures the feel of the live performance to perfection - you are there. [47M] UCAS DE SEDHIOU SAAROO SAAROO TC 6.50 COL VARIOUS ARTISTS DAKAR SOUND 3 - LATIN THING (DKS003) 2002853 CD £11.99 VARIOUS ARTISTS DAKAR SOUND 4 - THEIR THING (DKS004) 2002852 CD 11.99 COL VARIOUS ARTISTS JAMM - LA PAIX JAMM TC £5.00 A superb compilation album put together with the aid of 7FM.

Features a selection of magic tracks, unfortunately un-titled except for Thione Seck's opening title track. Fallou Dieng next, then Maty Thiam Dogo and Baaba Maal. Over to side 2 and starting with Youssou Ndour and on to Mapenda Seck before finishing up with a stupendous offering from Assane Mboup. None of the tracks rang any bells in my memory so unless you know better they could all be previously unreleased recordings done for the radio.

Let me know if you recognise any tracks. Whatever they are, they are all pure magic.

[7T/37M] VARIOUS ARTISTS PANORAMA DU SENEGAL MCA306 LP 12.00 COL Youssou N'dour, Baobab, Etoile 2000, Number One, Super Diamono and Canari de Kaolack. VARIOUS ARTISTS SENEGAL FLASH - KAOLACK 38905-2 CD £13.20 Xam Xam, Xalel Dey Mag - Ifang Bondi. Indu Waad - Super Diamono, Yaye Boy, Ndaga Seri Boy - Star Number One. Keefasane - Gulewar.

Bouba, Douniya - Ouza. Bamba - Sahel. Mane Kouma Xol - Etoile de Dakar. 68 M VARIOUS ARTISTS TABLEAU FERRAILLE TABLEAU TC £6.00 From the film 'Tableau Ferraille' comes this wonderful sound track album.

The harmonious amalgamation of blues, rumba and traditional is superbly arranged by Madou Diabate with singing from various artists including Souleymane Faye ex-lead singer of Xalam on top form with the powerful Ne Ko Dem Na, (Tell her I have gone) plus Amineta Fall, Dial Mbaye (Ode A Une Femme), Oumar Ndiaye Xoslu and last but by no means least - The choir of the Cathedral of Notre Dames des Victoires in Dakar. The very atmospheric traditional sounds come from the mighty drums of Groupe Beugue Fallou. The Cuban rumba track Cheri Coco is outstanding. (F.T.Index: Cheri Coco, Blues D'une Femme, Ne Ko Dem Na, Berceuse Por Gora, Blues A Tableau Ferraille, Ode A Une Femme, Momento Pour Un Exil.) [7T/23M] VIEUX MAC FAYE AINSI VA LA VIE MI019109 TC 7.00 COL VIEUX MAC FAYE MADEMOISELLE MP1002 TC 6.75 COL I love Ismael Lo's early issues like 'Xiif' and so I nearly went bananas when I started to listen to this album as the title track is pure Ismael and then some.! Chocolat was a bit tasty, especially the strange backing vocals. Jabar certainly made me sit up and take note but the last track was the best.

Well it was a bit 'Toure Kunda' in style! Overall this album, all be it a bit short is FANTASTIC. Mind you, with Vieux taking care of the vocals and his guitar playing backed up by no less than Lamine Faye of Super Diamono fame what can you expect.

(F.T.Index: Jew, Mademoiselle, Chocolat, Jabar) WAFLASH GOTEL GOTEL TC £5.00 WAFLASH PROSPER PROSPER TC £5.00 Ma Sane's sweet as honey vocals are up front and supported again by the boys next door, Do Sagna and Yade, on this the follow up album to their hit album Yoon Wi. Toto's guitar beautifully picks out the highlights while, wait for it, Maga Thiam and his keyboards get a surprising thumbs up from me. Yes for once they actually add to the overall effect instead of ruining it. If you liked their first album and loads of you did, then you will enjoy this one just as much. ( F.T.Index: Don't Give Up, Maam Daba, Baay Ndongo, Prosper, 18 Heures, Nafi Yem, Sumbera, Incident. ) [8T/44M] WAFLASH YOON WI YOON TC 10.00 COL I think this album is as near to perfection as I've heard in a long while.

Twenty year old Ma Sane's beautiful willowy vocals give me that electric tingle all down my back! She comes from Thies, one of Senegal's regional capitals and has been perfecting her jazz and soul influenced singing since she was seventeen. She was invited to participate in the recording by two boys, her neighbours, Do Sagna and M. Yade (White Feather) who are vocally quite different but make a velvet smooth combination. The rest is history as she promptly stole the show and since then everyone from Youssou Ndour to Omar Pene has been trying to persuade her to leave Waflash but for now she is staying loyal.

However this album isn't just Ma Sane, listen to Aicha Konte giving it some on Lekol Busoniere while the guitaring of Toto and Kool U is just pure magic and provides a very atmospheric medium for Bada Seck, Mbaye Diola and Galass who take care of the intricate but soft percussion. Miss it at your peril. (F.T.Index: Lu Tax (Why), Sigil, Yoon Wi, Lekol Busoniere, Teey, Jaaxle, Sahel, Uh La La. ) [8T/40M] 2.

UH LA LA WALLY SECK AND ABDOULAYE THIENEL FALL LES ROIS DU LELE LES ROIS TC 6.50 COL A very simple and traditional two track album from 'The Kings of Lele'. Side 'A' has Waly Seck singing to the lovely sound of the xalam played by Malal Hamady Mbaye with just the occasional snap of the fingers for percussion. Side 'B' follows much the same format but this time its a slightly more up tempo and with Abdoulaye Thienel Fall doing the singing while Malal has switched over to play the hoddou which sounds slightly more kora-ish than the lute like xalam.

(F.T.Index: A bit from Abdoulaye's side.) [2T/60M] WASSO ORCHESTRE NATIONAL MAKHOU AK TACKO MAKHOU TC £5.00 Another brilliant album from this versatile and inovative thirteen strong orchestra and their seven guest artists. Sharing the vocals are, Makhou Laye who has his turn first while Fatou Tacko Thioune waits for her turn on the flip side. The beautifully played music is a mix of mbalax and traditional with the slightly more modern tracks first. Sanou Diouf on sax leads the group which includes violin, guitars, clarinets, keybourds, flute, a range of percussion and not forgetting Issa Sow sawing his riti. Every track a winner.

(F.T.Index: Mime Yi, Tourisme, Waac Taay, Temps Bi, La Tete, Pencum Loy. ) [6T/29M] WASSO ORCHESTRE NATIONAL NAFORE NAFORE TC 7.50 COL The seventeen strong orchestra who play loads of traditional instruments and modern ones as well have produced a truly remarkable album which mixes modern mbalax with the more rootsy sounds of Senegal. By using five different singers they have made each track totally different from the rest, almost like a compilation. Both 'Yakhare' and 'Democratie' featuring singer Cheikhou Diabate are superbly sung and would have been on the sampler but 'Nafore' gives a slightly better insight into the variety contained in this wonderful album.

Listen out for the sounds of flute, riti and the buggerewan! Index:Yakhare, Nafore, Democratie, Ewan. ) [6T/29M] XALAM APARTHEID ENC134LP LP 8.00 COL YA CHEIKH CFA ST2002 TC 7.00 COL YA CHEIKH NUYOO XIPPI TC 7.00 COL A wonderful mixture of Mbalax styles ranging from Youssou Ndour to Ismael Lo and all superbly performed. El-Hadji Faye is on top form providing the percussive accompaniment and Vieux Mac Faye on Tama, Guitar and lead plays a blinder to Ya Cheikh's lovely vocals. Of the six tracks Nuyoo is my favorite but both Jambaar and Senegal are well in the running. Great album throughout.

YANDE CODOU SENE GAINDE GAINDE TC 6.50 COL This stunning little album has arrived into stock but not for long I fear. Yande's forceful vocals would be outstanding on any album but here on this set of six traditional songs it is pure magic, just listen to her amazing solo chant on the last track. While Yande is extremely good, she does have one hell of a lot of help from firstly, the six wonderful traditional musicians who play their hearts out on kora, xalam and that super riti plus various percussion instruments and secondly the marvelous vocal backing of Aida and Ndeye Mbaye and Amy Sene.

Just listen to them all go on the F.T.I.' S No 1 choice, it's simply superb. (The F.T.Index: Gniakha Gniore Ndianesse followed by that chant, Keur Mang Codou) YANDE CODOU SENE AND YOUSSOU NDOUR WORLD NETWORK 29 SENEGAL 'GAINDE' 58.391 CD £12.99 A world premiere: the first traditional album recorded by Youssou N'dour together with his idol, singer Yande Codou Sene - a document of overwhealming beauty. They are accompanied by, amongst others, Dakar's best drummers, the local riti violin and a polyphonic female choir. YORO GUEYE LENGO LENGO TC 7.00 COL Trombone session player Yoro produced this very interesting Jazz/Afrobeat/Mbalax fusion in Paris. It shows his sophisticated understanding of the complex rhythmic interchanges in a mellow mood.

YOUSSOU NDOUR ALSAAMA DAY ALSAAMA CD 12.95 COL Comes complete with a full colour 16 page booklet which unfortunately for me is all in French and Senegalese. YOUSSOU NDOUR BA TAY YNDCD007 CD £11.99 YOUSSOU NDOUR BERCY 2004 BERCY2004 CD 12.75 COL Senegalese made CD with tracks Live TV, Dem, Bamako, 7 Seconds, SMSL, Gandiol, Birima and Nanette ADA. YOUSSOU NDOUR DIKKAAT DIKKAAT TC 10.00 COL Senegalese local release recorded at Youssou's Studio Xippi. YALLAAY DOGAL 6. NJAAJAAN NJAAY YOUSSOU NDOUR DIONGOMA MP0000122 LP 10.00 COL Very interesting album which is rarely seen or heard and which was recorded in Paris back in 1983.

Quite a different sound to his usual albums of the time. Definitely grows on you though. YOUSSOU NDOUR DISQUE D'OR DISQUE TC 7.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR DJAMIL INEDITS 84-85 CEL66809 LP 8.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR EGYPT 755979694-2 CD 14.35 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR IMMIGRES EWV10 LP £8.00 YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL - BERCY 2001 VOL.

1 YNDCD008 CD £13.99 YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL - BERCY 2001 VOL. 2 YNDCD009 CD £13.99 YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL - BERCY 2008 YNDCD2008 CD 17.30 COL 1. PITH MI REMIX 3. SAMA GAMOU 4.

C'EST L'AMOUR 10. NDIADIANE NDIAYE 11. YONOU DEUG 12. YOUNOU BERCY YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL A BERCY Vol. 1 GB20001 TC £6.00 YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL A BERCY Vol. 2 GB20002 TC £6.00 YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL PARIS BERCY 2003 YNDGB03CD CD £14.80 YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL PARIS BERCY 2003 GB2003V2 TC 10.00 COL Find this one and you have something that would seem to be almost unknown outside of my own listing. While the CD is well documented the Volume 2 was only as far as I can see issued on cassette.

SAMA YAAYE 4. JEEBANE YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL Vol. 1 GRAND1 TC 10.00 COL An extremely smooth album that from the inlay info appears to have been recorded live in Paris, Bresica (Italy), New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington D. However I would bet on Youssou's own Studio Xippi as the venue as the continuity is just perfect. Either way its a great album with Youssou's vocals serenely floating over the machine gun sound of Assane Thiams red hot tama (just list to him go on Ndar) and the guitars of Pape Omar Ngom and Jimmy Mbaye.

This one is definitely going down as one of his best ever albums. ( F.T.Index: Benn La, Ndar, Miss, Fiitey, Xarit. ) [5T/42M] YOUSSOU NDOUR LE GRAND BAL Vol.

2 GRAND2 TC 10.00 COL Volume two is just as good as Vol.1 with Youssou again casting his vocal spell over an enthusiastic audience while Assane once more belts the hell out of his tama. Bess and Djino are the two really outstanding tracks that make this album a must.

( F.T.Index: Bess, Djino, Solidarite, Football, Medina. ) [5T/45M] YOUSSOU NDOUR LE SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR VOL.

1 02551-2 CD 12.00 COL First of four CD's featuring the sound of Super Etoile back in 1982. INDEPENDANCE 3. SIEMPRE YOUSSOU NDOUR LE SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR VOL. 2 02552-2 CD 12.00 COL 1. RIMOU YOUSSOU NDOUR LE SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR VOL.

3 02553-2 CD 12.00 COL 1. BADIENE OULIMATA 2. MASSAMBA COUMBA 4. NIT KOUREUR 5.

ASSURANCE MALICK DIOP 6. NATA MBAAY YOUSSOU NDOUR LE SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR VOL. 4 02554-2 CD 12.00 COL 1. BANDJOLI NDIAYE 3. KAMINA MOLO 4. THIOUNE ANTA 5. YELA YOUSSOU NDOUR SPECIAL NOEL SPECIAL TC 10.00 COL Released at Christmas, hence the title.

The album far from being christmassy is in fact new versions of the best tracks from 'Xippi/Eyes Open' sessions. The new version of 'Buguma am Doom' is the most popular in Senegal, now being a completely re-arranged version mourning the current state of affairs in the worlds trouble spots. I like the new versions far more than the originals. There is a much more polished feel to the whole album. BUOGOUMA AM DOME 2. NEW AFRICA 3.

LESS WAXUL 4. YOLELE 5.THE SAME (Benela) 6.

YAAKAAR YOUSSOU NDOUR THE LION VI645812 CD 5.55 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR WOMMAT WOMMAT TC 6.00 COL Musically and vocally its a lively but mellow sounding album with very interesting improvisations on both additional and western styles. So why the heck he had to go and spoil it by trying to sing in English I don't know. I do know that as he's now an International star he needs his music to appeal world wide but I hope he doesn't forget that he made his name as a Senegalese singer and that Senegalese music is what the people who bought his music wanted to hear then and still do now. (The F.T.Index: Oh Boy, Beugueunte, Tourista) The CD will be out soon with seven extra tracks which includes a cover of Bob Dylan's Chimes of Freedom, a duet with Neneh Cherry and he's also re-recorded and improved his English.

I will definitely NOT be buying a copy, give me the original cassette every time YOUSSOU NDOUR XIPPI 2201924 TC 6.00 COL Youssou's new release which came out on Christmas day 1991 is his first release of new material for two years.The most popular tracks in Dakar are 'Live T.V.' And 'Buguma am dom'.

With this cassette he has created a truly modern Senegalese music form recorded to the highest standard of modern Technology but loosing none of its traditional feeling. Recorded at his new multitrack studio in Dakar which is called 'Studio Xippi'! YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE BIR SORANO JUIN 93 LIVE VOL I BIR1 TC 10.00 COL Youssou and Le Super Etoile with the first of two super volumes recorded live at Sorano on the 11th June 1993. Side A starts the ball rolling with a Pot-Pouri of Medina, Dabi, Atou, Thiomo and finally building up to a stunningly jazzy version of Maral with Bandjoli bringing up the rear.

Side B features the soft Yoleley and the rich bluesy sound of Woma. BANDJOLI YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE BIR SORANO JUIN 93 LIVE VOL II BIR2 TC 10.00 COL Straight into the hit sound of Emigres with Jimmy's guitar leading the way. Alboury and Live TV finish off side A with Walo, Sinebar and Wooy making up side B. The build up of the music on live albums is always well worth exploring and I think it provides a much warmer and closer feel to the songs especially with an experienced singer like Youssou and guitarists like Papa Ngom and Jimmy playing freestyle. SINABAR 14.WOOY YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE DIAPASON + 95 DIAPASON + 95 TC 10.00 COL Another beaut to add to your Youssou collection with Senegal's top star live on stage, just listen to him sing that introduction to 'New Africa' or the way he powers through 'Casamanca' or 'Djino' - just incredible as you can hear from the audience's reaction. They may be old releases but every time he gets them out and dusts them down they come out sounding just like new again. (F.T.Index: Djino, Dem, Casamanca, New Africa, Awa Gueye.

) [7T/53M] 3. THIOUL ANTA YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE DIAPASON + SUITE SUITE TC 6.50 COL Following on from the Christmas cassette, 'Diapason + 95' this latest live recorded album is a real stunner and not to be missed. While Youssou tends to re-use his past hits he certainly can't be accussed of just dusting them off. You'll see just how good the re-vamps are as soon as the first track 'Sinebar' starts for its fourth outing, or is it the fifth? Old favourite, 'Xarrit' also gets a stunning new look with a guest appearance by gutsy voiced songstress Dial Mbaye. The track 'Undecided' is rather over Westernised but Youssou suddenly stops and now obviously 'Decided' explodes into a superb if unlisted version of 'Dem' with some really magic guitar playing.

(F.T.Index: 'Dem', Bour Yalla Dogal, Sinebar, Ndiadiane Ndiaye, Xarrit, Undecided. ) [5T/44M] YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE LII + LII+ TC £7.00 No completely new tracks on this one but if you are making a collection of Youssou's music then it won't be complete without this one. Same Intro then into Lii but this time its sung in the Poular language rather than Wolof, then comes a set of rather good remixes with new versions of Sunu Yaye, Solidarite and Baikat.

Finally to fill in there are the original versions of Toureundo and Birima. Just as good as the original Lii but different enough to make it both interesting and collectable.

YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE LIVE OLYMPIA OLYMPIA TC 7.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE SPECIAL FIN D'ANNEE FIN TC £7.00 Issued in Jan 99 and just too late into stock to make the first 99 newsletter. This is a well crafted album with Youssou's crystal clear vocals in charge at all times. The laid back feel owes as much to the silky guitar playing of Pape Omar Ngom and Jimi Mbaye as it does to the complimentary tama drumming of Assane Thiam. An album not to be missed for 'Miss' which is the the best track on the album to my mind, though that place is closely chased by a terrific version of 'Birima' from his 'Lii' album where Youssou and the whole crew join in for what sounds like a great jam session. ( F.T.Index: Miss, Birima, Mo Leen Nekh, Medina, Bou Leen Coupe, Del Tew. ) [6T/37M] YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE SPECIAL FIN D'ANNEE PLUS JPT1298 CD 13.20 COL A well crafted album with Youssou's crystal clear vocals in charge at all times.

The laid back feel owes as much to the silky guitar playing of Pape Omar Ngom and Jimi Mbaye as it does to the complimentary tama drumming of Assane Thiam. An album not to be missed for 'Miss' which is the the best track on the album to my mind, though that place is closely chased by a terrific version of 'Birima' from his 'Lii' album where Youssou and the whole crew join in for what sounds like a great jam session. The CD has two more tracks than the cassette. Alalou Mbola which was on the cassette and CD 'St-Louis' and No Mele which is sung mainly in english and appears to be about the dates of African countries independence.

( F.T.Index: Miss, Birima, Mo Leen Nekh, Medina, Bou Leen Coupe, Del Tew, Alalou Mbola, No Mele. ) [8T/47M] YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE ST-LOUIS ST-LOUISCD CD £14.00 As perfect a piece of musical magic as you could hope to hear. Backing vocals from Ouzin Ndiaye and Viviane with some great guitaring from Habib Faye, Jimmy Mbaye and Pape Omar Ngom while Assane Thiam's stunning tama cracks out the time with machine gun precision.

Thiapatholi with a new coat on is the highlight of the album to my mind while Djino has a deliciously infectious throb. (F.T.Index: Thiapatholi, Djino, Kadou, Ndar, Alalou Mbolo, Diambar.) [6T/35M] YOUSSOU NDOUR AND LE SUPER ETOILE ST-LOUIS ST-LOUIS TC £7.00 As usual as perfect a piece of musical magic as you could hope to hear.

Backing vocals from Ouzin Ndiaye and Viviane with some great guitaring from Habib Faye, Jimmy Mbaye and Pape Omar Ngom while Assane Thiam's stunning tama cracks out the time with machine gun precision. Thiapatholi with a new coat on is the highlight of the album to my mind while Djino has a deliciously infectious throb. (F.T.Index: Thiapatholi, Djino, Kadou, Ndar, Alalou Mbolo, Diambar.) [6T/35M] YOUSSOU NDOUR AND OMAR PENE EULEUK SIBIR! EULEUK TC £7.00 The two Mega Stars of Senegalese music have joined together for the first time to record this cassette which I am reliably informed is for local issue only, there being no plans for a CD!

Their backing comes from members of both bands, Super Etoile and Super Diamono plus Sanou Diouf of Wasso Orchestre National helps on horns. Comprising four duets and one solo each the mainly pop based music has been top of the local charts for the last four months! Youssou's solo, Ndanane, sees him singing in that slow atmospheric style that he is so good at, while Silmaxa and Independance have been packing them onto the dancefloors of Dakar. (F.T.Index: Silmaxa, Independance, Ndanane, Euleuk Sibir. ) [6T/30M] YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE MOURIDE ED008 LP 10.00 COL 1. JERE DEMBA 2. MANA-DEME YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE NELSON MANDELA ERT1009 LP 8.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE SHOW A ABIDJAN ED0010 LP 10.00 COL 1.

YALA YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR BITIM REW Vol. 8 BITIMV8 TC 10.00 COL Youssou and the band on top form with this absolutely stunning release from wayback in 1984.

YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR DABY Vol. 7 (A LA MEMOIRE DE MARC SAMB) DABYV7 TC 10.00 COL More early Youssou but this time round Nicolas and Ouzin also get to front the band. A lovely album and a great tribute to the late Marc Samb who plays trumpet on this album. SING (Nicolas) 4.

DEUGUE LA VERITE (Youssou) 5. WALLY NDIAYE (Ouzin) 6.

ADOUNA (Manel) YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR DJAMIL Vol. 6 DJAMILV6 TC 10.00 COL 1. MBARGUETHE 2.

FERRIDIGUA 3. (not listed) YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR GAINDE Vol. 14 GAINDE14 TC 10.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR HORS SERIES - REMIX HORS TC 10.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR JAMM Vol. 12 JAMMV12 TC £10.00 1. JAMM ( La Paix ) 2. JIGEENI REEW MI YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR JAMM Vol. 15 JAMMV15 TC £10.00 1.

XALEYE REW MI YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR KOCC BARMA Vol. 13 KOCC13 TC £10.00 Stunning. KOCC BARMA 5. OLD TUCSON YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR NDOBINE Vol. 10 NDOBINEV10 TC 10.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR SET Vol. 15 SETV15 TC £10.00 YOUSSOU NDOUR AND SUPER ETOILE DE DAKAR YAROU Vol.

5 YAROUV5 TC 10.00 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR ET LE SUPER ETOILE LE GRAND BAL 1 AND 2 YNDCD002 CD £11.99 As per the two Senegalese released cassettes but as usual its been clipped as it is missing the track Miss which was on Vol. YOUSSOU NDOUR ET LE SUPER ETOILE LE GRAND BAL A BERCY YNDCD006 CD 11.99 COL For once its the same as the cassettes. YOUSSOU NDOUR ET LE SUPER ETOILE LII CDLII CD 13.50 COL Recorded at Youssou's Dakar studio with overdubs in Brussels and Hamburg this has got to be his best release for a long time. To say that this new album is 'Wonderful' would be quite descriptive but 'Absolutely Bleedin Brilliant' would convey the message far more accurately! Released in Senegal on cassette earlier this year it was closely followed by the release in Senegal only of the CD.

The big hit in Dakar has been the semi-acoustic ballad Birima with the beautiful acoustic guitar of Jimmy Mbaye and backing vocals from Cheikh Ndiguel Lo and Ousseynou Ndiaye. That may be the choice in Dakar but I have a sneaking suspicion that 'Anime' with Massimo Di Cataldo is going to do the same as 'Seven Seconds' - a world wide hit. (F.T.Index: Birima, Lii, Sunu Yaye, Anime, Baikat, Toureundo, Solidarite.

) [8T/37M] YOUSSOU NDOUR ET LE SUPER ETOILE LII LII TC £6.50 Recorded at Youssou's Dakar studio with overdubs in Brussels and Hamburg this has got to be his best release for a long time. To say that this new album is 'Wonderful' would be quite descriptive but 'Absolutely Bleedin Brilliant' would convey the message far more accurately! Released in Senegal on cassette earlier this year it was closely followed by the release in Senegal only of the CD.

The big hit in Dakar has been the semi-acoustic ballad Birima with the beautiful acoustic guitar of Jimmy Mbaye and backing vocals from Cheikh Ndiguel Lo and Ousseynou Ndiaye. That may be the choice in Dakar but I have a sneaking suspicion that 'Anime' with Massimo Di Cataldo is going to do the same as 'Seven Seconds' - a world wide hit.

(F.T.Index: Birima, Lii, Sunu Yaye, Anime, Baikat, Toureundo, Solidarite. ) [8T/37M] YOUSSOU NDOUR ET LE SUPER ETOILE REWMI YNDCD003 CD 11.99 COL YOUSSOU NDOUR ET LE SUPER ETOILE REWMI REWMI TC £7.00 Youssou and Super Etoile recorded this in Paris on their way home from the rather disapointing and lack lustre Joko Tour. Now this is the Youssou sound that I can get into with a magic display from Assane Thiam whose tama sets a cracking pace behind Youssou whose voice is at the smoothest and most melodic that I've ever heard it. An extreemely well crafted release that's found a permanent home in my collection straight away. ( F.T.Index: Yaay Kan, Gent, Boul Ko Tek Misser, Lang, Dunyaa, Yaama.

) [6T/35M] ZALE SECK YATOU YATOU TC 6.50 COL .

I wish you were my drummer! You sound great! All I would say is - try out the SD Avatar library and the EZxs I mention as I described and see what happens. They really do have the problems stated and, together with the overhead / room stereo imaging issues in SD/EZD/EZxs makes Addictive better IMHO. But each to his own. And none of these is of course as good as a decent real drummer.but such animals are rare. The best one I ever played with was the son of the music master at school, and this lad went on to be a professional drummer and teacher.

He was 14, I was 17 and my youngest brother on bass was inbetween. 35 years later, I'm still looking for someone as good, and haven't found them yet. It shouldn't be that difficult to play consistently and in time on the drums, but having tried it myself it is surprisingly difficult - which of course is one of several good reasons why Toontrack and XLN Audio have a business.

And decent real drummers are so valuable. I use SD and AD daily, but always prefer Superior Drummer and their different expansions (mostly Roots and MM really). The main difference, apart from SD being far more adaptable to my DTX900 and having the 'bounce' function when it's time to export everything for next release and send to our mixer, is the decay of all the cymbals which to me far surpasses those currently present in AD. Everything in clean state of course. Funny thing is with BFD3 though (the third beast) - even if they also sound great, they can clearly muster up a machine gun effect when playing single or double 32nds or 64ths, which is not the case with SD. Would be interesting to hear what other e-drummers have to say about BFD vs SD in that regard and the samples per velocity layers. By the way - have you read the academic study on Jeff Porcaros hihat work?

Just to correct a couple of my mistakes in my previous posts. I meant 'Seq Hard' and 'Seq Soft' in relation to hi hats (not Semi Seq). Sorry about that. Semi Seq is - IMHO - the villain of the piece when it comes problems with sample randomisation in Superior Drummer. With 'Semi Seq' switched ON, this is what causes SD to pick samples randomly from sample layers up to '2 up and 2 down' from the main sample layer of the velocity of the midi hit in question. The sample engine is supposed to compensate for the difference in volume of samples pulled from (the resulting) 5 different layers - but it doesn't really work: if your backbeat is programmed at e.g. 105, you get a selection of hits including 'hard' V=127 whacks and much softer V=80-ish hits.

To me, this sounds odd, unrealistic and is a flaw with Superior Drummer. It applies to using EZdrummer kits in SD and the SD kits themselves.

If you switch OFF 'Semi Seq', SD stops picking '2 up and 2 down' samples, so you just get samples picked from the velocity layer of the programmed midi. In most EZdrummer kits this means you get just 2 alternating samples. One contributor above helpfully suggested that a solution is to program (or use your eDrums) with a backbeat snare range of e.g. I'm guessing this would cover maybe 3 velocity layers in an old EZd kit, so with 'Semi Seq' switched OFF you'd get 6 different samples instead of just 2. 6 might be more variation than 2, but the problem remains that the lowest velocity sample of these 6 is going to sound very different to the highest velocity sample: more so to my ears than a real drummer. If on the other hand you work with a V=95-110 snare back beat and 'Semi Seq' switched ON, you're back to '2 up 2 Down' sample selection by the SD sample engine.

Thus, although it will have more sample variance, SD will now be picking samples from maybe 7 different layers (the 3 layers of V=95-100 and '2 up' from this and '2 down'). Hence the loudest hits are going to be V=127, and the softest could be down in the V=70s. When you have V=127 followed by V=70 for a snare backbeat, to my ears this doesn't sound very good (or realistic). What's needed is more samples of similar velocity / timbres / levels in EZd.

For my money, I'd rather have a dozen similar but not identical snare samples in the the V=95-110 range (a good range to operate) and no V=127 'hard' hits (which are a bit aggressive for an old guy like me) and no V. Yeah, like I said = +/- 2db is basically inaudible to the human ear. When I play real drums, I never, ever, ever play a simple backbeat at the same velocity every hit. It just isn't possible. Therefore there would be absolutely no way I'd be triggering one or two single samples in EZdrummer.

You are killing any realism in your drum track by programming backbeats at 105 -every single one. Also, apart from a small number of Toontrack snares, where I agree the timbre and velocity of the samples are a bit dodgy. Certainly on my packs (Custom & Vintage, Vintage Rock, The Classic) the point is you can trigger random samples within a couple of db (or velocities) either side of 105 and get a very consistent sound from the snare.

If you are listening with a microscope and soloing the snare in isolation you might be able to nitpick variation, but the reality is, it's very, very consistent in a musical context. Believe me, I hate inconsistent backbeats, whether as a tone or volume issue. Your issue is treating Superior and EZdrummer as drum machines, where every hit is exactly the same velocity.

That's not how real drums work - even for the absolute best drummers in the business. You're not actually getting much for your money when you buy an EZx is the basic point: 50-100 bucks (or thereabouts) is a lot to pay for effectively just 2 usable snare samples!That's absolutely not correct. Firstly, you admitted yourself this only applied to a few of the pre-EZD2 releases. There must be ten or more EZX's that have been produced since the launch of EZDrummer 2. Also, have you upgraded your earlier EZX's to EZDrummer 2 versions? Secondly, absolutely no one in the 'real world' plays or programs every snare backbeat at a single velocity. So it's your work method which is at fault, not the product.

And you don't get the 'problem' in Superior as you keep claiming. I never want to trigger the 127 samples in Superior, so I program my snares in the 100 to 115 range. With all the randomisation and intelligent sample picking going on I'm never triggering (or hearing) 125 to 127 super hard samples. I'm just not. We record hundreds of backbeat style snare samples for each drum in Superior, so if your drum programming is restricted to 110 to 115 velocity, you are still hearing a very large sample pool of hits.

Another question is. Did you check the difference between rimshots and centre hits? In most Toontrack products since EZX:The Classic, there has been separate rimshot samples and centre hit samples. So you have a decent pool of both timbres. Because of the nature of rimshots, they tend to be slightly more variable in timbre.

If you weren't triggering the snare centre hits, you might have had better results if you had restricted your backbeats to 110 to 115 in the centre hit samples (much more consistent). Toontrack told me there are only two samples per velocity layer in all EZxs pre-EZd2. That's a large portion of the EZxs out there. And a quick listen and experimentation confirms that this does indeed seem to be the case.

Any song with a 2 & 4 snare back-beat is obviously better if that back-beat is non-drum-machine-like i.e. Similar-ish hits and consistent-ish hits but not identical hits (and this obviously ignores ghost strokes and fills which can - and should be - all over the place). So no debate on that from me - I agree.

All I'm saying is - be wary. Despite the PR, EZd doesn't do similar-ish / consistent-ish / but not identical-ish snare hits very well, and even SD has some issues. And on this (I think important) measure, Addictive is better - plus the overheads and rooms mics have the snare and kick centred in them (this is important to me but not everyone would agree, and that's fine). If the any of above is useful to anyone out there, then great. If not that's obviously OK too. Also, +/- 2dB does make a difference. Most pop / rock has a dynamic range of, say, 14-16dB.

It might be a bit more for a pre-brick wall-limited 80s original CD, or considerable less on a modern smashed one. +/- 2dB is a range of 4dB. If you vary the level of your snare track by 4dB in a song with a 14-16dB dynamic range, that's about 25% of the DR, and this is the difference between having the snare too loud or too soft.

Same applies to anything else in the mix too: 4dB on your faders makes a big difference. So a snare track that wanders up and down +/-2dB is.well it's problematic.

You need to fix it somehow (tape, compression, limiting, distortion, manual fader riding/automation.whatever). Anyway, I hope people out there find all this useful. Thanks for the various feedback.

It's good to know that people read this stuff! J One contributor above helpfully suggested that a solution is to program (or use your eDrums) with a backbeat snare range of e.g. 95-110.How do you program your MIDI drums. Are you just grabbing free MIDI drum loops with the same velocity on each hit and using them? I'm not a drummer but I do know that your source (midi data) is the most important thing to getting virtual instruments to sound good.

I have all 3 of the VI's that you've mentioned and EZD2 is the one I always use. If you want to get the drums to sound good, look at the MIDI source, the MIDI's that come with EZD2 or any of the MIDI packs that Toontrack sells. Since Logic Pro X is my sequencer, I actually use The Drummer to drive EZD2 and SD2 and AD2 as well. If you or others feel this way about any VI, there's always the real way and that's hiring a real drummer and going into a studio to record your tracks, but then again, that's the main reason why we have VI's and why we purchase them. I think instead of posting a thread like this, you should really get all the information and check out demos of songs and the VI's themselves before purchasing the software.

And even after purchasing the software, take the time to learn them to your advantage. The VI's don't do anything, you're the one that that's going to make them sound great. When you place real overhead microphones how would both the snare and kick be completely centered?

You pick a center point whether it be the kick, the snare, or somewhere in between. I used to aim my overhead microphones at the kick drum lug in the upper left because it was pretty close to my snare. For them to be centered you would have to place the kick right behind the snare which would make it awkward to play. So I would say the kick or snare being slightly off center in one direction would actual be a real case scenario. I've never really had an realism issue with Superior Drummer 2 or EZD2. I tried out Addictive Drums 2 but I ended up selling it.

I didn't get along with the way the drums were recorded as much as Superior. At the end of the day, use what ever gets the job done for you.

Between the couple bigger drum virtual instruments you should be able to find something that works for you. When I run my TD-20 into these, they all work out pretty good and sound realistic when triggered by me on my TD-20. When you place real overhead microphones how would both the snare and kick be completely centered? You pick a center point whether it be the kick, the snare, or somewhere in between.

I used to aim my overhead microphones at the kick drum lug in the upper left because it was pretty close to my snare. For them to be centered you would have to place the kick right behind the snare which would make it awkward to play.The 'audio center line' going straight through kick and snare. OH will then not be to your absolute left and right, which makes it a compromise. More to read.

When you place real overhead microphones how would both the snare and kick be completely centered? You pick a center point whether it be the kick, the snare, or somewhere in between.

I used to aim my overhead microphones at the kick drum lug in the upper left because it was pretty close to my snare. For them to be centered you would have to place the kick right behind the snare which would make it awkward to play. So I would say the kick or snare being slightly off center in one direction would actual be a real case scenario.Having both the kick and snare in the centre of the stereo imagine is the main purpose of the Recorderman technique.

Having both the kick and snare in the centre of the stereo imagine is the main purpose of the Recorderman technique.All drum software libraries are a compromise compared to being in the room, micing the kit yourself and making your own engineering decisions. I think the vast majority of drum sample libraries are not designed to be used as overhead only libraries. Some are fine all the same. When we did the 4 mic set up in EZX: The Classic, we did design it as a limited mic, Glyn Johns type of set up. Download Free Industrial Dynamics Jay Forrester Pdf Creator. Also, +/- 2dB does make a difference. Most pop / rock has a dynamic range of, say, 14-16dB. It might be a bit more for a pre-brick wall-limited 80s original CD, or considerable less on a modern smashed one.

+/- 2dB is a range of 4dB. If you vary the level of your snare track by 4dB in a song with a 14-16dB dynamic range, that's about 25% of the DR, and this is the difference between having the snare too loud or too soft.

Same applies to anything else in the mix too: 4dB on your faders makes a big difference. So a snare track that wanders up and down +/-2dB is.well it's problematic.It really, really isn't. +/- 2 db is almost inaudible, not even close to being 'problematic'. I've made many records as a drummer. I pride myself on my playing consistency, and I doubt any of my snare performances are played within a 2db volume range. My snare always sounds appropriate and is always audible at the level the producer wishes it to be. Of course they often compress the snare on mixdown, but this is not to 'cure a problem'.

This is like 'seasoning' to taste. The two problems with your initial post: 1) You are using the drum software in an odd way no one else would use it (restricting the programmed hits to one single velocity value). Which at the very least means you can't advise others how to use the software. 2) You couched your post as a warning, about some negatives you perceived about all Toontrack products, both EZdrummer and Superior. In short, you've used the product not as intended, then formed an opinion and are telling people it's not good enough based on that opinion. I think it's fine to post you don't like something. It's just this attempt to warn people off something that is a bit odd to me.

I have a side question. I currently own Superior Drummer 2 but I lack midi grooves.

Can I buy some without buying additional soundbanks??Toontrack sells tons of them, but a better deal is Groove Monkee or several other 3rd party sellers. Toontrack hasn't really been giving you a lot in their midi packs.

They aren't real expensive, especially on sale, but even with their ezx and sdx packs, they've cut way down on the midi they give you, I assume, in hopes of selling you midi packs, which are also pretty skimpy. Much of what's been discussed in the original post is technically over my head. But as a simple user - and I use a customized Yamaha e-kit, consisting of nearly 4 kits combined, with 4 drum trigger modules, and about 40 triggers to shake a stick at - I've used Superior 2, EZDrummer 1, and earlier Addictive Drum VSTi's.

I myself prefer Superior Drummer, and EZDrummer 1 over earlier AD. Primarily because the earlier AD's mapping was whacked, plus AD didn't seem to fit within the context of a mix, though sounds great all by itself. But all of them are very good IMO. As for velocities in EZD 1 & older expansion packs, I had no idea of it being only 2 velocities, it sounded like I getting several, and a good variation based upon my own e-drumming. I feel the differences in all drum VSTi's available are more of a personal over all preference for many. For others who are getting into the 'technical aspects' more as a gauge of differences, that's another set of particulars to chew on.but it's not of any concern for my needs.

Yeah, like I said = +/- 2db is basically inaudible to the human ear. When I play real drums, I never, ever, ever play a simple backbeat at the same velocity every hit. It just isn't possible. Therefore there would be absolutely no way I'd be triggering one or two single samples in EZdrummer. You are killing any realism in your drum track by programming backbeats at 105 -every single one. Also, apart from a small number of Toontrack snares, where I agree the timbre and velocity of the samples are a bit dodgy. Certainly on my packs (Custom & Vintage, Vintage Rock, The Classic) the point is you can trigger random samples within a couple of db (or velocities) either side of 105 and get a very consistent sound from the snare.

If you are listening with a microscope and soloing the snare in isolation you might be able to nitpick variation, but the reality is, it's very, very consistent in a musical context. Believe me, I hate inconsistent backbeats, whether as a tone or volume issue. Your issue is treating Superior and EZdrummer as drum machines, where every hit is exactly the same velocity. That's not how real drums work - even for the absolute best drummers in the business.'

Basically' is a weasel word. +/-2dB is definitely audible.

Whether you can hear it or not, and how much you think it matters in a given contex, is irrelevant to everyone else. That's absolutely not correct. Firstly, you admitted yourself this only applied to a few of the pre-EZD2 releases. There must be ten or more EZX's that have been produced since the launch of EZDrummer 2.

Also, have you upgraded your earlier EZX's to EZDrummer 2 versions? Secondly, absolutely no one in the 'real world' plays or programs every snare backbeat at a single velocity. So it's your work method which is at fault, not the product. And you don't get the 'problem' in Superior as you keep claiming. I never want to trigger the 127 samples in Superior, so I program my snares in the 100 to 115 range. With all the randomisation and intelligent sample picking going on I'm never triggering (or hearing) 125 to 127 super hard samples. I'm just not.

We record hundreds of backbeat style snare samples for each drum in Superior, so if your drum programming is restricted to 110 to 115 velocity, you are still hearing a very large sample pool of hits. Another question is. Did you check the difference between rimshots and centre hits? In most Toontrack products since EZX:The Classic, there has been separate rimshot samples and centre hit samples.

So you have a decent pool of both timbres. Because of the nature of rimshots, they tend to be slightly more variable in timbre. If you weren't triggering the snare centre hits, you might have had better results if you had restricted your backbeats to 110 to 115 in the centre hit samples (much more consistent). It really, really isn't. +/- 2 db is almost inaudible, not even close to being 'problematic'. I've made many records as a drummer. I pride myself on my playing consistency, and I doubt any of my snare performances are played within a 2db volume range.

My snare always sounds appropriate and is always audible at the level the producer wishes it to be. Of course they often compress the snare on mixdown, but this is not to 'cure a problem'.

This is like 'seasoning' to taste. The two problems with your initial post: 1) You are using the drum software in an odd way no one else would use it (restricting the programmed hits to one single velocity value). Which at the very least means you can't advise others how to use the software.

2) You couched your post as a warning, about some negatives you perceived about all Toontrack products, both EZdrummer and Superior. In short, you've used the product not as intended, then formed an opinion and are telling people it's not good enough based on that opinion. I think it's fine to post you don't like something. It's just this attempt to warn people off something that is a bit odd to me.The mere fact that modern software instruments can humanize velocities (and other performance aspects) tells me not only that there's nothing 'odd' about programing a bunch of snare hits at the same velocity, but that the software designers EXPECT people to program that way, or are at least accommodating such programing. Also, you sound like a Toontrack employee/endorser.

Toontrack sells tons of them, but a better deal is Groove Monkee or several other 3rd party sellers. Toontrack hasn't really been giving you a lot in their midi packs. They aren't real expensive, especially on sale, but even with their ezx and sdx packs, they've cut way down on the midi they give you, I assume, in hopes of selling you midi packs, which are also pretty skimpy. L.You've obviously never used the ' Edit Play Style' in EZDrummer 2.

Regarding 3rd party sellers, make sure they support MIDI that EZDrummer 2 understands and that goes for Addictive Drums 2 as well. But I would stick with getting MIDI from Toontrack and using the ' Edit Play Style' in EZDrummer 2 to enhance a MIDI groove that you've created with the MIDI from Toontrack. Also if you have Logic Pro X, let 'The Drummer' from Logic Pro X be the drummer to drive EZD2.

Something I've noticed with EZD2, and keep in mind I'm far from an expert with the product, is that if you have a kit with double bass drums and program repeating hits on either the left or the right, the engine always alternates between the 2 drums. Back and forth. So a pattern like for example L L L R L is actually played back as L R L R L.

I worked around this by loading 2 instances of EZD2 and removing the L kick from one instance and the R kick from the other. One instance plays only L bass drum hits and the other R bass drum hits. Programmed accordingly. I've really only used the program for sketch work at this point so not sure what other problems might arise having 2 instances playing back for mix down or other things.

I suspect this will be my last post! Just trying to help. Everything I've written is absolutely correct. Anyway, chaps (and chapesses), enjoy your music - as I do. That's what it's all about in the end, isn't it?I've read your posts, and as a user of SD2 and AD2 as well as a few other VI drummers, I would suggest in your investing in some of the very in depth advanced Superior Drummer 2 tutorials out there. I had always considered myself a very advanced user of both SD2 and AD2 but after watching the advanced tutorials on SD2, I was excited to find out I had really only been operating at a very intermediate level, and estatic by the even greater potential of the software as discovered from those tutorials. Everything to be gained and nothing to lose by checking them out, even if you only come across one feature tweak that enables you to more readily programme with success.

In terms of the potential for precise editing and velocity control, comparing SD2 to EZ drummer is a bit like comparing apples to hood ornaments. They are 2 different platforms that to some degree share a GUI and basic design concepts bu their feature sets set them far apart in terms of real world application.

To me, SD2 is a studio VI and EZ is more of a live/performance VI accompaniment. I could be wrong about EZ, it's just my observation The matter of the left and right overhead signal tilting the kick or snare out of the centre most image is something that can be engineered to suit without a whole lot of difficulty. SD2 is a powerful tool and it has so many attributes that what needed adjustments are most obvious, seem trivial compared to the reward.

I think we often assume that because a VI is presented as a turn key solution that it doesn't need the personal tweaking to fit a mix or song or that in depth manipulation is somehow a shortcoming, which it's not in the grand scheme of things. SD2 to me, is easily one of the best there is. Some times I can pull a sound from the EWQL Pro Drummer, particularly the Mark Stent bundle (some neat mix tips in his routing and setup fyi) but I cannot stand the proprietary Play midi groove thing. AD2 has it's place too.

It only works for me on big tragic ballads but that might be more to do with me, than the software. I love their FF2 presets and although I often only grab the dry signal, I will attempt to recreate their presets using my own routing and plugins, mainly so I can also send any additional snare or drum samples from Battery4 or whatever to the same aux and buses.

AD2 is definitely a great sounding VI and they have heaps of very useful midi grooves I find fit really well with slow to medium tempo stuff. I appreciate you sharing your experiences in the hopes of enlightening to others to the limitations of SD2/EZ2/AD2 but more to the point, most of the limitations encountered are universal limitations of most all VI's and the solutions are often custom to each and every production, song or mix, in my experience.