Released: February 9, 2024

Genre: Electronic

From: Senegal

Label: Blanc Manioc

Why you should listen: Senegalese electronic artist Ibaaku has released a dynamic, cacophonous and absolutely riveting new album titled Joola Jazz. Tribal and raw in its energy, Ibaaku is able to create an immersive listening experience with frantic compositions. The harsh and abrasive opener “Bombolong” has these thick synths melodies that intertwine with heavy beats and an incredibly infectious energy to it that carries on throughout the album. “Bukut” has these heavy tribal drums, with an eerie atmospheric tone that makes this a hypnotic listen. The guitar leads on “Btwinen” are beautiful, with enchanting and soulful vocals from featured singer Dioba that capture the beauty of traditional West African music. “Jazz Griots” featuring Alibeta is a stunning, piano, synth and vocal-led track evokes a sense of sombreness yet urgency and fire that makes it a reflective, inspiring listen. The high-energy of “Niini” is entrancing, while the colourful tones and guitar leads on “Nuit à Yaoundé” featuring Dannielle Eog makes it another reflective, vibrant moment on the album. The percussion on “Ajamat Computer” with its infectious drumming and chanting is hypnotic, while “Bumiro” with Gianni Denitto on sax is another special moment. The drumming is exceptional, the saxophone emotive and utterly spellbinding, and the overall energy is so liberating. It’s one of my favourites on the album. The synth leads and percussion on “Nabom” are subtle but evoke a lot of emotion, while “Ancestral Intelligence” closes the album out with jittery electronica, with synth leads that are incredible throughout, capturing a soul and intensity to the music that gives it such incredible vibrancy to it. Ibaaku has made a concise and immersive listening experience with Joola Jazz, shining a bright light on the emerging and flourishing Senegalese electronic scene.

The album: