Iso

International CD.
Personnel: Ismael Lo (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Babacar Dieng, Awa Maiga, Isabella Gonzales, Myriam Betty (vocals); Ass Malick Diouf, Yves Njock, Roe (guitar); Patrick Papino, Alain Hato (saxophone); Giansserand (trumpet); Bolognesi (trombone); Pierre Michel Sivadier (piano); Ousmane Wade, Manu Lima (keyboards); Jean Bardy (contrebass); Samba Laobe Ndiaye, Tony Bonfils (bass); Youssou Camara, Brice Wassi (drums); El Hadj Faye (sabar); Samy Ateba (percussion); Ousmane Toure (background vocals).Engineers: Philippe Brun, Alex Firla.Principally recorded at Studio Harry Son, Paris, France.All songs written or co-written by Ismael Lo.Personnel: Isma‰l L“ (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Malick Ass Diouf, Ass Malick Diorf, Roe Njock (guitar); Patrick Papino, Alain Hatot (saxophone); Jacques Bolognesi (trombone); Pierre Michel Sivadier (piano); Ousmane Wade, Manu Lima (keyboards); Samba N'Diaye (bass guitar); Youssou Camara, Brice Wassy (drums); El Hadj Faye, Samy Ateba, Hadj el Faye (percussion); Ousmane Tour‚ (background vocals).Recording information: Studio Guillaume Tell, Paris, France (03/28/1994-03/30/1994); Studio Harry Son, Paris, France (03/28/1994-03/30/1994).An album comprised largely of Afrobeat sounds for Lo's third release. The music moves, however, from pure Afrobeat, on to piano-accompanied vocal work, vaguely in the vocal jazz/pop singer style. Lo's vocal prowess on the album is stunning, as would be expected. There are less parallels in general to other Senegalese and/or Malian singers, as there were on other albums. Lo seems to be defining his own style a bit more clearly here, as he was progressing through his career. The songs deal with topics ranging from the inevitability of death to the pain of arranged marriages to love for his mother. Musically, the album is probably a step up from Diawar, but both are worthwhile. Pick it up as a fan of Lo, or as a fan of the West African vocal traditions. ~ Adam Greenberg