Boomerang

Boomerang is the third album from Senegalese hip-hoppers Daara J. Here they continue their habit of using the music as a means to introduce heavier social and political issues. More important to the casual listener, though, will likely be the musical and vocal aspects themselves as the bulk of the lyrical content is in one of a number of non-English languages. The first thing one notices on the album is the introductory hyperspeed lyrical delivery that opens up Boomerang. The delivery is fast enough that the language can barely be discerned, let alone content. As the trio slows down, carefully worked out beats and bass grooves crawl in to form the real backing of the group, making a swaying groove that will last for the majority of the album. Guest spots from Sergent Garcia, China, Disiz la Peste, and most notably Rokia Traoré add additional aspects to works that would otherwise fall mildly flat, and those works without guests tend to be somewhat more highly crafted allowing for a finer performance from the main trio only. The trio's rap delivery can become a bit dry at times and overpowering at other times, but it tends to stay anchored in both directions by the backing music. The happy medium is held throughout, despite any wanderings on the parts of the overachieving MCs. As far as West African rap goes, this is some of the absolute best. Pick up an MC Solaar album for comparison on the French points, too, though.