Some tracks on Bako Dagnon's new CD will alienate purist aficionados of acoustic Malian music but the opening track Wouya Larana is a meltingly wistful, lilting West African classic worthy of Salif Keita. Bako Dagnon's voice is stunning - rich and rugged yet amazingly agile as it follows the complex melody lines. She sounds so different from Oumou Sangare or Kandia Kouyate - lower, huskier - and yet her delivery is every bit as powerful. Most of the songs feature the beautiful guitar-playing of Mama Cissoko.
There is lots of variety on this CD from the chugging desert blues of Badjigui to the flamenco-influenced Fadeem To via washes of unobtrusive electronica a la Rokia Traore's recent work. The 9-minute Kono, however, is weirdly reminiscent of some mutant slice of indie with its Coldplay-esque chord-progressions and languid guitar phrases, yet Bako's soulful vocalising transforms it into an epic listening experience.
A great album from an overlooked Malian diva. Perhaps this will be her breakthrough disc - I certainly hope so.