Issa Bagayogo

Each new Issa Bagayogo album improves upon the last -- even when you don't think it's possible. On Tassoumakan he sounds more vocally assured than ever, conjuring up wide-open spaces one minute ("Ciew Mawele") and pouring himself into hypnotic repetition the next ("Numu"). He can take on downtempo ("Kanou") or Mali-styled Afrobeat and remain totally himself.

The finest Afro-European rhythmic structures Mali can provide ("Diama Don," "Dya"). (Grade - ***)