Jamm

"His best album - a record that draws on a Pan-African musical heritage."
- Uncut (4 stars)

'Jamm' is the first new album in 5 years from one of Africa's great musical mavericks, Senegalese sufi troubadour Cheikh Lo. Released by the famed World Circuit label, 'Jamm' is his most distinctive and personal album since his groundbreaking, Youssou N'Dour-produced debut 'Ne la Thiass' in 1996.

The dreadlocked singer's signature blend of semi-acoustic flavours has been distilled into his most mature, focused, yet diverse statement to date. And his husky, sensual voice is sounding better than ever.

On Jamm, Lo's infectiously funky mbalax rhythms are given a subtle pan-African slant, shot through with elements of highlife, Afrobeat and Congolese rumba, with more eclectic touches bubbling beneath - a reggae lilt, an Afro-Cuban swing & some deliciously weird Afro-surf guitar.

Crowned by Lo's inimitably affecting, bitter-sweet vocals, this is a rich brew described by Lo himself as "une jarrasse": a rainbow of sounds and influences that echoes the multi-coloured clothing he wears as a Baye Fall, the uniquely Senegalese Islamic sect to which he dedicates his life and music.

'Jamm' features members of Cheikh Lo's band, plus guests Tony Allen (drums) and Pee Wee Ellis (sax).