Album: Timbuktu
Artist: Oumou Sangaré
Release Date: April 29, 2022
Label: World Circuit Limited
Favorite Tracks:
- Wassulu Don
- Kanou
- Kêlê Magni
- Dily Oumou
Thoughts:
Oumou Sangaré is a veteran vocalist from Mali who sings traditional songs of the Wassoulou region. The music reflects the joy, sadness, and tenderness of strife-torn West Africa with an emphasis on the struggles of women. Like many recent recordings, Timbuktu was created during and inspired by living in isolation during the COVID pandemic. In Sangaré’s case she was trapped in Baltimore while touring the United States and unable to return home. Sangaré’s voice and lyrics are supplemented by music played on traditional instruments of Sangaré’s and a chorus of female voices.
Rating: ****
Album of the Week 2022
January
- Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
- Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
- Adele –30
- Tran Uy Duc – Came
- Yard Act – The Overload
- Aoife O’Donovan – Age of Apathy
February
- Tanya Taqaq – Tongues
- Various Artists – Summer of Soul soundtrack
- Mitski – Laurel Hell
- Shamir – Hetrosexuality
March
- Lady Pills – What I Want
- Stromae – Multitude
- Jenny Hval – Classic Objects
- Yumi Zouma – Present Tense
April
- Ibibio Sound Machine – Electricity
- Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems
- The Linda Lindas – Growing Up
- Deer Scout – Woodpecker
- Sault – Air
May
- Congotronics International – Where’s the One?