Cheikh Lo: Balbalou review – a patchy but welcome return

Cheikh Lô would be a major star if he were a little more prolific and consistent. This is his first album in five years, and there was an equally long wait for his previous set – which is unfortunate, because he has a distinctive, soulful and easy-going style, mixing Senegalese mbalax with influences from across Africa and as far afield as Brazil. Balbalou starts magnificently, with a trio of songs that include a cheerfully rousing collaboration with the Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho and the French accordionist Fixi on Degg Gui, and a powerful appearance from Mali’s Oumou Sangare on the driving Doyal Naniou, an attack on the African propensity for coup d’états. But from then on, the songs aren’t as distinctive as his voice, despite the introduction of Congolese influences, a drifting collaboration with trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf and a scat workout. It’s a patchy set, but it’s still good to have him back.