Cheikh Lo

Add Date: June 21 

Artist: Cheikh Lo 

Album: Jamm 

Label: Nonesuch 

Genre: International, soul 

Comments: Senegalese Sufi musician Cheikh Lo's first album in five years previously received critical praise in Europe when it was released in 2010, with Uncut calling it the "African album of the year", and The Guardian saying, "Cheikh Lo is back with an album that reconfirms his position as one of the finest, one of the most soulful singers in West Africa."

On Jamm, which translates into "peace" from Wolof, Lo's acoustics are flavored with West and Central African, funk, Cuban, and flamenco blends, not to mention being sung in English, Wolof, French, and Jula. The AP summed his record as a "globe-hopping aural adventure," and I absolutely agree with the sentiment.

Considering that I can understand the language, I'm practically obligated to recommend French tracks 3 and 9. For all-around wonderful songs, go for tracks 1, 4 and 6.