Youssou N'Dour's first international release in six years actually came out in European and American versions, with significantly different track selections. All represent beautifully polished, high-end productions of songs released in rawer form back home in Senegal. Two songs in particular soar, the sweet, sensual "Birima"--a mega-hit that N'Dour has reworked on each of his past five records--and "Bekyat," a full-throttle mbalax pop number with a killer vocal hook, a ripping sabar and tama percussion break, and a message of praise for peasant farmers. "This Dream," a collaboration with Peter Gabriel, creates a seductive trance mood with its looping sonic textures and art rock aesthetics. Two tracks with Wyclef Jean were cut from the U.S. release, and in their place we get two fine band-oriented pieces, "Mademba," which builds from a refrain on the song "Country Boy" (from Eyes Open, 1992), and "Miss" which gradually heats up to a satisfying, percussion-rich crescendo. "My Hope is in You" finds N'Dour in a sentimental pop mode, but it is saved by his gift for melody. Better, though, is "Red Clay," the album's anthemic closer, which really cuts to the heart of N'Dour's song craft. If you can get your hands on the Senegalese versions of these songs (on Jololi releases like Lii!, Saint Louis, and Rewmi), you see how N'Dour transforms his trademark band-driven sound into full-blown international pop. No Afropop artist has so skillfully managed the challenge of pleasing both local and global audiences.

Contributed by: Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org