Even within the fabulous cornucopia of West African music, el hadj N’diaye’s Xel (2001) is a exceptional treasure. N’diaye takes a journey beyond the familiar mbalax beat of Senegal’s popular music to explore more varied territory. Some of the rhythms and guitar work could have come out of a Clapton album. But they are blended perfectly with African drums and balofon. The balofon solo on the song “Casa di mansa” is particularly beautiful. This is a tragic song about the ill-fated secessionist movement in southern Senegal, sung in French and English. Most of the songs on the album are sung in Wolof, Senegal’s primary language. But the emotions in them are so powerful that you have the odd feeling that you understand every word. “Yoon wil”, “Xale bi” and “Yu sew yii” moved me in particular. This entire album combines a refinement and precision of performance with intense emotions: bitterness, sadness, yearning, remorse. I will play this album over and over again, and I’ll do my best to find more of N’diaye’s work.
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