Libation

The tragic backstory (first told in an acclaimed film documentary) of how the rotating members of this group came together in Guinean refugee camps is an inspiring story of hope and the healing power of music. Now more than 10 years into a career that's taken the West African musicians around the world, the band return with their fourth album. Where the previous two efforts focused more on electric African funk and reggae, Libation often has lighter, acoustic-based sound (particularly on “Obaenya” and “Ghana Baby”) that's highlighted by such sunny African genres as highlife as well as old-school styles like maringa, palm wine, and gumbe. Of the plugged-in songs here, the midtempo roots reggae of “It’s So Sorry” and “Rich but Poor” are deeply indebted to Bob Marley and The Wailers yet are also real highlights. These latter two are complemented by the lovers rock of “Treat You Right,” which offers a more tender side of reggae. This album is named after the tradition of pouring out a little booze to remember friends—but this time it’s more about the party that comes next.