Direct From Dakar in Bloomington, MN

Senegal's
Omar Pene & Super Dianamo
might play m'balax, the same style that helped make an international star out of
Youssou N'Dour
, but their take on it is very different. Instead of a busy, chattering talking drum puncturing the rhythm, they use horns and, especially, the guitar to establish their rhythms, and draw from a number of musical sources, including the sophistication
jazz
chordings and even
reggae
, whose influence can be slightly felt on the opener
"Aral Sa."
And unlike his countryman,
Pene
doesn't possess the high griot's wail; his voice is deeper and more soulful, more attuned to American music, particularly
soul
, which seems to have influenced the political
"Soweto,"
with its smoking guitar solo from
Doudou Konare
. But m'balax is far from their limit. They can happily essay a delicate
waltz
like
"Niane,"
given an unusual edge by African percussion before roaring back into the edgy
"Coumba Xaliss"
or the bass-driven
"Gainde,"
with its remarkably complex rhythm that still manages to get the feet tapping. The highlight, however, must be
"Xamlene,"
which is like
Earth Wind and Fire
gone to West Africa -- driving, funky, and very danceable -- with
at his most emotional. Fiery stuff, indeed. But while the band might be
Direct From Dakar
, the album isn't -- it was recorded at
Real World
Studios in England. But even the damp climate doesn't diminish the musical heat. ~ Chris Nickson