Ake Doni Doni "Take It Slow"

Cheick Hamala Diabate certainly makes a joyful noise on this album. The Malian griot, who now lives in Washington, D.C., surrounds himself with some excellent, sympathetic musicians, including bluesman Corey Harris and members of Chopteeth, to produce an album that's very African, while also looking outside the continent. Diabate himself is an excellent musician on ngoni, banjo, guitar, and bolon, and a good singer, although he delegates many of the vocal chores to Astou Diabate, whose vocal talents are huge. It all kicks off with the deliciously churning "Den Woulou Lalou," where Harris' slide work supplements the sound, creating a nice thick groove. This is an album that is at its best on the uptempo tracks, such as the praise song "A.T.T." and "Djeli Fily Tounkara" (written for Diabate's mother). Several of the tracks address immigration — a very personal experience for Diabate — and shout out to Malians abroad. Considering that the album has such a large cast (18 in all), the music has a remarkably intimate feel, even when guest Victor Crisen is giving a shredding electric guitar solo on "Wanto Doke." This album deserves wide attention — one listen is enough to prove it's a little gem that crosses borders very neatly.