The rough guide to the music of Senegal

"Takes the listener on a whistlestop tour of some of the major names - from [Youssou N'Dour and] Baaba Maal via the funkiest of all big bands Orchestra Baobab to contemporary hiphop star Sister Fa. Curiously, few of the tracks show off the artists to their best advantage - not soft-throated Cheikh Lô nor the soulful Mansour Seck. A slightly second division selection. The bonus CD of Fula musician and singer Daby Balde rallies bravely, but not quite enough to save the day".