Fatoumata Diawara - Fatou [Yellow Vinyl]

Hailed as africa's best interpretation of the 'girl with a guitar' archetype, fatoumata diawara is the latest malian to be signed by world circuit, the label that provided a platform for such legends as toumani diabate and ali farka toure. the album is ushered in by the warm, understated 'kanou' which introduces diawara's gently rippling vocals and dexterous guitar playing. 'sowa' possesses a lovely, sun-kissed sound that is punctuated by catchy vocal inflections which result in the album's most accessible and immediate track. 'bakonoba' follows, with its heady mix of bustling guitar and percussion that seems to suggest a musical parallel to the vibrancy and activity you would find on the streets of a major African city.