Mot'a Bobe
The third album from Cameroonian Henri Dikongué is essentially a refinement of the styles he's explored on his first two releases. While there's a definite African heart to a track like "Bun'a Te,"Mot'a Bobe(which translates as "Hypocrisy") casts its musical net across the globe, from the Parisian boulevard ambience of "N'Dolo," which recalls one of his idols,Charles Aznavour, to the soft Caribbean touches of "Clone." A fine guitarist, Dikongué can also pen a beautiful ballad such as the title track or hold his own on the instrumental "N'Oublie Jamais," with countrymanManu Dibangoguesting on sax. His music might veer firmly into the mainstream, but Dikongué seems perfectly content with that--and by doing so, he stands a good chance of attracting a broad audience, which is certainly no sin.--Chris Nickson