Sigil
Born in the Medina district of Dakar, Senegal, Kane's sound reflects an age-old connection between various Arabic cultures and those of West Africa, as Islam found its way below the Sahara even as black slaves were being driven North. Initially inspired by a visit to Morocco, where he encountered and became mesmerized bygnawatrance music played by descendants of his long-displaced cousins, Kane later mastered theguimbri, a three-stringed bass played by devotees of the sect. The present release, which was produced by Martin Swan of the noted Scottish folk band Mouth Music and recorded between Scotland and Paris, is redolent of the composer's ties tognawa, Ali Farka Toure's Malian "blues" and theMbalaxcreated by Kane's famous countryman, Youssou N'Dour, all flavored by teachings of theBaye Fall, a dreadlocked Muslim brotherhood. Aside from the resonant, flexible beauty of the bandleader's baritone, the overall impression is of an almost regal confidence. It is plain in every note he sings that he knows exactly who he is and what he wishes to impart. Suffice it to say that the album is a must-have and Nuru Kane is definitely a force to be reckoned with. --Christina Roden