Cheikh Lô
Bambay Gueej (World Circuit)
On his second album, West African musician and bandleader Cheikh Lô spins a convincing web of melodies and rhythms from across the African Diaspora. The Latin cadence opener “M’Beddemi,” an adaptation of Guillermo Portobales’ “El Carretero” is greatly reinforced by the airy runs supplied by Cuban flautist Richard Egües. The muscular horn-fueled title track morphs into “Lady,” a tribute to Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti. “N’Dawsile” starts off with a Jaco Pastorius-style bass line before easing into a Jamaican groove — one accented by a snap-crackle-pop talking drum. The multitalented Lô — vox, guitar, and percussion — leads an equally adept big band of electric and acoustic guitars, horns, electric bass, and mucho percussion, with fitting cameos performed by Malian songstress Oumou Sangare and former James Brown hornman Pee Wee Ellis. Bambay Gueej was recorded in the studio of Youssou N’Dour, the Senegalese singer who added his distinct voice to Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” and who, as co-producer here, adds a polished but energetic patina. Still, the real star is Lô, whose vocal lines gain more depth and meaning with repeated listening. Overall, Lô’s second effort exudes such potential energy that his live shows must be riveting. The downside of this is that it makes you feel like Lô and company held back a little on Bambay Gueej. Still, nothing close to a sophomore slump. 
This article appears in July 14 • 2000.