Jali Sheriffo Konteh - Mansolou

(Compound Sounds 2001)

Recorded at his home in the Gambia, most of Jali Sheriffo Konteh's debut album was completed within the confines of his compound and this is really evident in the sound quality. But what the album loses in audio clarity, it makes up for in substance. Sheriffo's voice is a welcome sound - gritty, engaging and raw. He makes the well-worn songs of the griots sound fresh, while the new material by Sheriffo himself seems to fit in so perfectly with what has always been.

Reviewer : Chino Odimba

Africa (clip)