Issa Bagayogo

Bagayogo's early albums struck a masterful balance between the slow elaboration of traditional Malian music and the hyped-up beats of global urban culture. Four albums in, however, the conceit is wearing a bit thin. Mali Koura still features Bagayogo's magnificent vocal presence, but at times he sounds like mere window-dressing to the disco beats and female chorus; only "M'ba Fodi" and "Ahe Sira Bila" rectify the balance. Perhaps Six Degrees are afraid to let the singer hold the stage on his own, but they shouldn't be -- the best music doesn't hammer, it breathes.