Keep on Moving: The Best of Angelique Kidjo
The Benin-born, Paris-based singerAngélique Kidjohas become the most popular African female artist on the world-music  scene. This compilation contains 18 tracks from her five CDs released  between 1990 and 1998. An electrifying performer fluent in French,  English-jazz vocalese, and her country's traditionalzilinvocal  techniques, Kidjo often sings in her native Fon/Yoruba language. Along  with her husband, bassist/producer Jean Hebral, Kidjo conjures up a  zesty mix of funk, Latin, jazz, gospel, Caribbean zouk, Congolese  rumba, and Afropop grooves. Kidjo covers a lot of ground--from  Afro-pulsed renditions of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" to  her indigenous take on George Gershwin's "Summertime." The rising  hip-hop/gospel divaKelly Pricelends  her sanctified sound to "Open Your Eyes," and Carlos Santana's bluesy  guitar lines illuminate "Naima." The Tanzanian chant "Malaika" is  dedicated to Kidjo's idol, Miriam Makeba, while "Senie," a spare track  with background vocals and drums, is a shout out to the great Togolese  singer Bella Bellow. Of course, this collection also contains Kidjo's  most popular dance hits, including the infectious "Batonga," "Agolo,"  and the classic "Aye." This fabulous package shows why Kidjo is the  belle of the world-music ball, with a host of fans from Cassandra  Wilson to Branford Marsalis.--Eugene Holley Jr.