Jahtiguiya: Dub to Mali Volume 2 (Discograph, 2007)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Quite an impressive release here, certainly good enough to make you wonder why this sort of thing isn't done more often. Manjul is a French Rasta (currently residing in Bamako, Mali) who combines reggae riddims with West African instruments and textures. He plays most of the reggae instruments himself (bass, drums, keys, riddim guitar, akete drums) and leaves the African instruments (balafon, n'goni, talking drum, Peul flute) to others, for a feel that's truly collaborative and symbiotic. He spreads the vocals around too, combining his gruff dread testifying with more keening, wailing Mandinka voices. Apart from the dubwise excursions suggested by the title, the tracks also include helpings of jazzy ska, nyabinghi, non-dub instrumentals and, not surprisingly, about as deep roots as can be. I suppose some listeners might find the African sounds obtrusive or lacking the proper timbre for reggae arrangements, but anyone with a true ear for the connections between reggae and its espoused African homeland will love this CD. Now, I just hope I can track down Volume 1.

- Tom Orr