I went into this CD expecting a westernized take on Mali music... Don't do that. It's not bad, but it's not all Damon, all the time. With that said, it's probably clear that I'm a white boy Blur fan who was pleased with Gorillaz & hungry for more Damon Albarn-related side projects. So the "bad" news (if you even want to call it "bad") is that it's not as Blur-like or westernized as I thought. But on the other hand, it's very faithful to the Mali culture. True, I'm no expert on that, but let's just say I know western music very well & this certainly isn't western!
People have called this album Damon Albarn's Graceland, but I would disagree. Whereas Paul Simon dominated Graceland, Damon Albarn kind of plays second fiddle to the native musicians & songwriters. It's really their album- which is why I consider it "true" Mali music. It's a very unselfish act of Damon's (not to mention the fact that proceeds of the album's sales benefit UNICEF). I think this album's clear intention is to turn the western world onto some pretty amazing African music.
But hell yeah, there are some westernized tracks- you can tell which ones just by looking at the names on the track listing ("Spoons," "Tennessee Hotel," etc)- & they are excellent. I enjoy the other songs, but I'd be lying if I said I bought the album b/c of them. With that said, the best song on the album has to be "Sunset Coming On." Yes, it is a song sung by Damon, & it sounds like it'd belong on Blur's 13 or Think Tank.... & it'd stand out on that album too, just as it does here. It's a beautiful, tender song. I can't think of a song that captures the essence of its title so well. It really feels like a sunset, as silly as that sounds. Give it a listen.
I'd recommend this album to anyone. If you're a Blur/Damon Albarn fan then you'll instantly like a lot of it. But it's the rest (& majority) of the album that will make you appreciate Mali music a little more. Enjoy the songs & broaden your horizons.
