Belissimo

M'Bilia Bel came to fame as the female vocal foil of the great Tabu Ley Rochereau, rising to become the Queen of Congolese rhumba — a justly deserved title. This solo album does nothing to diminish her reputation. While the heart of her sound is rooted in the Congo, as it should be, this offers something a little more modern in Souzy Kasseya's production, which has something of a widescreen quality. There's a little more hip-hop in the rhythm at times, and Bel herself has a looser rein to soar, which she takes at times, flying above the music. The only real letdown is the keyboard, which occasionally descends into an '80s cheesiness (perhaps not too astonishing, since that was the decade of Bel's greatest success). Ignore that, and what you have is something quite wonderful showing that Bel is still a vital figure in the rejuvenated rhumba.