Tiken Jah Fakoly - Dernier Appel (2014) [Hi-Res]

Tiken Jah Fakoly is one of Africa's great singer-songwriters. He's massively popular in Mali, where he lives after moving from the Ivory Coast, and in France, and he has helped to revive the African reggae scene with his sturdy singing and angry but always thoughtful messages. The new album contains some potentially fine songs, from the title track, with its warning that this is "the last call" for Africa, through to Diaspora, on which he is joined by the great African reggae veteran Alpha Blondy. There is even a sturdy revival of the Max Romeo favourite War Ina Babylon. But what's disappointing is the production. Kora, n'goni and balafon add a welcome African edge, but too many tracks are dominated by unremarkable keyboards, as if he is aiming for the safe international market. He urgently needs the energy and attack that Manu Chao brought to Amadou & Mariam's work.

Tracklist:
01. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Dernier appel
02. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Human Thing
03. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Le prix du paradis
04. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Diaspora
05. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Tata
06. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Dakoro
07. Tiken Jah Fakoly - War Ina Babylon
08. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Too Much Confusion
09. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Quand l'Afrique va se réveiller
10. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Saya