musicians leads of course to Caribbean/Zouk touches and again there is a fantastic guitarist (Addmd Faye — I wonder if he is Lamine Faye’s brother?). Electronic touches are judiciously used and combined with an equal amount of folk touches like the harmonica and the distinctive talking drums of Senegal, to create a very interesting record. “Dioumaa” utilizes the zouk rhythm from the Antilles crossed with mbalax to make a dance floor jam with a great percussion break in the middle part. The title track “Xiif” is about the great drought affecting Ethiopia and the Sahelian regions of Africa. “Marie Lo” features acoustic guitar and harmonica and, of course, vocals from Senegal’s finest songwriter.
