Released: January 12, 2024

Genre: Mbalax / Afrobeat / Jazz

From: Senegal

Label: Urban Trout Records

Why you should listen: Mbalax is the national popular dance music of Senegal and The Gambia, a colourful and heavily rhythmic sound that captures the richness and vibrancy of their cultures. I recently discovered Aron And The Jeri Jeri Band, a group of talented Senegalese musicians, co-founded by Berlin-based Aron Ottignon and Senegalese griot, Bakane Seck, helping to shape the modern sound of Senegal. Dama B​ë​gga Ñibi (I Want To Go Home) is their new album, an 11-track project with incredibly infectious grooves and rhythms throughout that have me dancing and nodding my head along. The opening title-track is an 8-minute stunner, with incredible vocals throughout, electronic synths and rhythms that are groovy and colourful in sound. The emotion in Pape Diouf’s voice is poignant, as he longs for home. It’s an incredibly moving and textured opener, and one that perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Sunugal” has a dynamic groove to it, emphatic vocals are incredible percussion and steel drumming throughout, with energy that is absolutely infectious. It bursts into life with a dance-heavy groove. The basslines on “Mama Djuma” are funky, with drumming and percussion that is entrancing. Toufa Mbaye’s vocals are smooth and beautiful, with a reflective, almost nostalgic energy to the track that is stunning. The colourful vibrancy of “Teddoungal” is complemented by incredibly beautiful keys, while the deeper, rhythmic energy of “Ngaldoore” is mesmerising. “Maam Baay” has incredibly powerful and potent vocals, with a groovy, electronic and drum-heavy rhythms that are captivating. The percussion and intense drumming on “Kaolack” and “Bongo Boys” are absolutely stunning, with a hypnotic, electronic energy that really fires on all cylinders throughout. “Jeri Jeri” has these infectious grooves and rhythms that are just so infectious. “The Return of the Golden Egg” is another percussive beauty, with synth leads and drumming that is colourful and vibrant throughout, with piano keys, infectious funky basslines and an incredible energy. “Strange People” is a laid back, beautiful ballad, with subtle keys and drumming, as well as Aicha’s sublime and stunning vocals that make this such an emotive and reflective way to close the album out. With Dama B​ë​gga Ñibi (I Want To Go Home), Aron And The Jeri Jeri Band have released a project that celebrates Senegalese and music from West Africa, with jazz and Afrobeat influences that enrich the sound and aura of the album as a whole. It’s a stunning body of work and one I will be listening to for quite a while.

The album: