La voix d'or du Mali

Mamany Kouyate might not yet qualify as the golden voice of Mali, but she's certainly on her way, although you wouldn't know it from the album's opening notes, a cheesy mix of fuzz guitar and terrible keyboard, or from the none too clever electronica of the first few tracks. But once Golden Voice of Mali moves into more traditional territory she's very much at home, sounding confident, with glorious phrasing and power behind her voice, a griotte who sings like history is going through her. The traditional acoustic accompaniment — balafon, n'goni, and a type of kora harp called the bolon — complements her voice perfectly, especially when guitar is added (and the guitar work is nothing less than wondrous). Once Kouyate gets going properly, she has the unique kind of voice that can be subtle even as it booms — and she demands attention. She may not be that golden voice of Mali yet, but on the evidence of this, it may just be a matter of time.