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La Différence by Salif Keita

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• Label: Decca (UMO)
• Released: 08 February 2010
• Another brilliant acoustic album from Salif. The first track, La Difference, opens with some English vocals that seem a little obvious (I am black, my skin is white - I am white, my blood is black, I am what I am). For anyone who doesn't know, Salif is an albino. The musicians thoughout are wonderful and the instruments varied. Kante Manfila and Djelly Moussa Kouyate are on guitars. There's plenty of n'goni, camele n'goni, percussion and gorgeous backing singers - but also many surprises such as piano, trumpet, cello, oud, and on four tracks a six piece Arabic string section.
  There's a stunning version of Seydou, with a vibraphone, floating chorus singers and the swaying string section, all led by the gently weaving guitar lines.
  Gaffou has two n'goni's, oud and cello.
  Folon appears in a different version with Bill Frisell on guitar and some subtle piano.
  Ekolo d'Armour is a perky dance track with strings, piano and oud.
  Djele has accordion, cello, balafon.
  Samigna with it's two n'goni's, swirling strings and then trumpet is a wonderfully diverse sound.
  The CD ends with a version of Papa, complete with breathy vocals, piano, and subtle bass from the camele n'goni and double bass.
  Salif's voice is almost upstaged by the brilliantly diverse instruments!
  Outstanding. 
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• • La Différence
  • San Ka Na
  • Seydou
  • Gaffou
  • Folon
  • Ekolo D'Amour
  • Djélé
  • Samigna
  • Papa