SPIN THE GLOBE - Best Releases of 2002

Absolutely one of the most stunning releases of the year. I was unfamiliar with the West African style of flute playing when I popped this in the CD player, and was blown away by the the powerful playing and the vocalizations that Guinean Bailo Bah utters as he plays the tambin. The effort of the playing may leave you out of breath just from listening. Other artists include Sylvain Leroux (tambin), Famoro Dioubate (balafon), Keba Cissoko (kora), Yacouba Sissoko (kora), Peter Fand (contrabass), and Kourou Kouyate (bolon). Highly recommended.

- Scott Stevens