Lam Toro

It’s difficult to properly critique albums like this, because criticism is, at least partially, about being about to place a piece of art’s place within cultural context, explaining the trends that have led to it’s creation and whether or not it works as a continuation of, break from, or subversion of those trends. The albums that I find easiest to review are those which I have a personal connection to, those which I have something to say regarding the political, cultural, or social context, or those which I disliked enough that I can really rag on them. I know precious little about Senegalese history or culture, and even less about Fula, the language Maal speaks. So with the exception of Minuit, which is in French, I wasn’t able to even guess at what the themes of each song was. In some ways, I feel incredibly lost with this album. But in another way, the beauty of this record really does transcend my need for understanding. Like Classical or Jazz, the timbre and melody are enough to make me feel the music on a more instinctive level. And that instinctive level is telling me that this is just great music. Sometimes it’s fun to overthink and to intellectualise, try to make sense of everything, or come up with rational explanations as to why you enjoy things. Other times, it’s fine to just admit that this sounds pretty and funky, and that I enjoyed listening to it. It’s fine to have fun

I already listened to Baaba Maal's earlier album with Mansour Seck for this list, and I dug that one. This one is less driven by acoustic guitar (which is a welcome change), and there's more of a worldbeat//fusion vibe. It's enjoyable and Maal is clearly a talent - but the whole thing has a contrived crossover feel that cheapens it. From looking online, it seems most streams and info relate to the 1993 mix of the album, which has even more of a brash, commercial and dated 1990s sound. I'm basing my rating on the 1992 mix which at least has more of an organic atmosphere. I'm glad there's some African music on the list, but it feels like the editors didn't dig very deep here. 3*

A great reminder of my chosen life philosophy to have little to no expectations for anything good so that even the slightest deviation above nothing feels like a gift from the gawd of love. This album is Baaba's gift to those expecting another monotonous dirge. How delightful to hear a couple drums now and then, and a goofy synth here and there. Even melody. And as nice as that is, I think we all can agree this is number 1002 on albums we must hear before we die. D+

There’s very cool things happening on this album, cool time signatures, cool singing and an expansive African inflected palette. But I’m constantly distracted by the dated synth effects, the synth horns, etc. simply ruins songs for me. I was eventually won over into thinking this wasn’t awful, but among the 4s and 3s there were some 1s and 2s in my track by track ratings. 2

I'm not worldly enough in my musical listening to appreciate this the way I should. Unfortunately, I don't really listen to much of it.

It's a shame that there's no Wikipedia entry for this album, only a profile of Baaba Maal, as it's hard to know why this particular album was selected from his apparently extensive discography. And his story is fascinating, with a lot of interesting connections to Western artists (Brian Eno is everywhere!) and his work on soundtracks (like "Black Panther") or collaborations with other big names like Taj Mahal (for a Fela Kuti tribute album). But this album doesn't have any of that, and I don't really even feel like I can appreciate whether his music on this album is more traditional or more innovative in Pulaar/Fula culture (although the non-lyrics music seems largely modern, and sadly in a horrible 80s/90s synth- and drum-track mire). I guess it's fine? I liked "Yela" and "Daniibe", more from the sound than whatever the lyrics meant; everything else is kind of lost on me. I was often reminded of Babatunde Alotunji's "Drums of Passion", even though they're different generations and cultures and countries, of course. Looking at the entry for this album from the 2005 edition of "1001 albums you must hear before you die", it appears that the draw for this album was the collaboration between Simon Booth and Baaba Maal (and the editor particularly (perhaps solely?) liked the track "Daande Lenol", which ironically is named after Maal's band, but mixes in all the usual world-music suspects), and how this was a sort of launchpad for Simon Booth to explore world music and later form Afro Celt Sound System (without Maal involved at all). So I guess this album was included more for Simon Booth than Maal, although the editor notes that "Maal continued his pop fusion with varying degrees of success"?

I enjoyed listening to this and it was interesting, but lacking the language or any real cultural basis in the music, I think my ability to appreciate it is pretty limited.

Really something unique to listen to

Makes ya wanna go to Senegal, right?

I was sitting by a waterfall and put this on - and felt instantly transported to some other place. I had never heard of Lam Toro but these songs were fantastic and are definitely worth hearing before you die.

Perfect Vibes!

Absolutely LOVE this album! From the year I was born too! Loved that last Baaba Maal album that came up and this follows, I maybe even prefer this one! Toro has such a moreish sound and the opening Yela is another major highlight. Delicious album! Can't fault it. Love that he's promoting and championing traditions of the Pulaar-speaking people.

Atmospheric world music, in places etherial or upbeat. An album I very much enjoyed but I doubt I would listen to again.

Bangeer!

Like a holiday in Africa with extra everything.

Amazing album. No skips.

Gotta get myself to Senegal, they make some good shit. This was amazing

started off not really clicking with me despite how amazing his voice is and a love for music with similar timbres but by the end of the last track I was in a daze and hadn't realised how moved I was for past however many minutes. Then checking the release date and it was early 90s??? Who the fuck produced this it sounds so crisp and massive. The mixing on this was ahead of its time for sure, ranging formform beutifully crisp sounds of the more stripped down tracks to big soaring ones that almost sound like something that Mike Dean would produce. So sick wtf

This was my first exposure to Baaba Maal for me that I know of. It was a treat and I enjoyed being introduced.

I listened to this on a plane, coming home from a vacation with my oldest and dearest whom I only see in person once a year or so. So I was a little sad but this music made me happy. Very fine.

Unexpected and groovy

Loved it. Need to listen more to full appreciate.

I have always been a fan of international music and this is a good artist to add.

This is as funky and "rootsy" as it gets, and I am a total sucker for funk. Couldn't sit still in my seat while listening to this. Also couldn't find an English translation of the lyrics online, which is a huge shame as lyrics are a huge contributing factor for me. Either way, 4 stars for the original sound and lovely voice.

I don't have the cultural background to understand this music but I love the sound and feels.

I love when I'm exposed to an artist/genre like this and it just clicks with me. I loved listening to this and will play this in the future. I'm always wary when anything international makes this list, but this was a wonderful listen for me.

Another easy listen. African albums hit different.

Loved it! Very different from what I usually listen, but feels very familiar in some way .

This was a really good album. Full of vibrancy. Language barrier be damned, this is the kind of stuff I was hoping to hear on this list. I enjoyed it. 4/5 Would listen again

I don't have any idea what he's saying, obviously, but the vibes are immaculate. Enough that I plan to do a deep dive and learn more.

First time I listened to the whole album twice in one day. Really nice, good to see more non-English music.

People love to complain about this list being overpopulated by English alternative rock (and they're not wrong) but then consistently give low scores to all the non-Western music on here.

Proof that Music and Passion can transcend language

Good vibes and energy. If your in the move for something different, this is it.

this was a lot of fun. i definitely have a weird soft spot for african rhythms, which this of course lit right up. overall, quite enjoyable.

Un álbum que no solo no conocía, probablemente no hubiera topado nunca de no ser por esta lista. Nada acabó en mis playlist, pero está bueno diversificarse

Different. In a good way.

So, I really can't pretend that this is gonna be a review. Touching on a point I saw someone else make, part of writing a review is being able to place a work's part in the culture and how it relates to surrounding material. Like, sure, it **is** largely "sharing your opinion," but if you don't have an awareness of the larger context surrounding it... And of course, I don't. I don't know the first thing about the Seleganese people, their culture (music or otherwise), their language... So while I can offer my thoughts on how I think it sounds, as for a "review..." Well, short of putting in time to do the actual research (and with how behind I am, I certainly don't have enough time)... Y'know, as much as I feel like it's doing the material a disservice, allow me to take this material as I do most Coheed And Cambria songs: as, for all intents and purposes, instrumentals. And taking this thing on a purely instrumental level, I'd struggle to call it bad. It's a nice vibe; I can picture a Seleganese block party or whatever where this is the stuff the local musicians are playing. For my purposes, it'd probably work decently as audio wallpaper. The problem, though, is that in trying to take it beyond just audio wallpaper... It's not terribly engaging? Don't get me wrong, it's all well played, and I think the language that's being sung is very appealing, but there's this level of repetition that doesn't do the material any favors. It strikes me as an album that could've been whittled down a little –– and I listened to the vinyl track listing that only has 8 out of the 11 songs, so I can only imagine how the uncut experience feels. Honest to goodness, there were points on this album where I was so unengaged, my ears actually stopped listening to it. Not that I paused the music or anything; just that, every now and then, my attention would snap back and I'd go, "Oh, this is still happening?" I wanna stress again, I wouldn't call it bad. As audio wallpaper, sure, it does the job fine. And if you actually have an understanding of Seleganese culture, I bet it hits even better. Heck, in general, I'm happy I got to hear something that wasn't another random UK post-punk album. I'm just left wishing I could be more enthusiastic about it. Maybe it caught me on the wrong day... Who knows? For now, all I can say is that my favorite thing this guy did is still his short appearance in the BBC Music cover of "God Only Knows". Seriously, if you ain't heard that... Goodness.

This album is really cool.

It's outside my personal comfort zone, partly because it's not sung in English but also instrumentally falls outside of my usual palate but I found it really joyful and rhythmic. There is some brilliant guitar and bass work and I enjoyed a few plays through this week. I'd be happy to listen to this again even if I am unlikely to seek it out. Definitely what this challenge is all about as I'd never have found it without a nudge in the right direction and it was also interesting reading more about Baaba Maal and his significance.

Funky soulful human

Happy to have listened to this album which is out of my comfort zone. Hard to rate really, but appreciated it being here, and found it to be an interesting listen. Some great music coming out of Senegal. Makes me wonder number of lost musicians there are in Senegal and the African continent.

I dug this. Definitely a mood setter to be enjoyed in the right setting. And interesting to see how his music served as an influence for the soon-to-be formed and really good Afro Celt Sound System.

This was a chore to get through. It seems like a "diversity" addition to the list. I personally couldn't really connect with this, which is understandable given the cultural and language barriers, even though I do listen to a fair bit of foreign language music (although I have certainly never listened to a Senegalese artist). There's some good instrumentation scattered throughout, which cool time signatures and even some funk influence. The vocals weren't really for me and I'd even go as far as to describe them as a bit annoying, although they're definitely unique. In general the album didn't sound particularly genuine to me and struck me as more of a world music record crafted to appeal to Western listeners. I could be totally wrong, though, just my completely uncultured impression. Production sounded mostly very dated. It's understandable that this is not like a sonic masterpiece and I didn't expect it to be, but I genuinely laughed out loud when I heard the cheap saxophone keyboard effect at the start of "Gidelam," which is not the only instance of amateurish production on this album. Still, I have no clue what it looked like recording and producing music in Senegal in the '90s, so I may just be completely ignorant here. All in all, don't feel like I'll be getting back to this album, or to any particular song, which is unfortunate because I was super curious about it and really wanted to expand my taste. Also I'm honestly confused by so many 5s in the reviews - might have to read through them to see what I'm missing with this one. 2/5

In the right setting I can dig some world music with Indian/ buddhist chanting and such, but I had to fight through this one. I believe it was track 2 that I thought would have mixed well with the “Ewok Celebration” song AKA “Yub Nub” at the end of 1983’s Star Wars-Return of the Jedi.

Vilken skit!

i love the rhythm and beats its like a dancing

1001 albums tried something difference

So pleased that another Baaba Maal album has made it onto my album list. A perfect musical companion on a early spring sunny day in England. Beautiful voice, guitars and accompaniment. Nothing less than 5 stars would suffice.

This is the mind opening music I came here for.

Awesome world music album. Thank you album generator for being one of the few bright spots in a pretty shit world. Baaba Maal is 5 stars for me.

My first time listening to West African music, and it was wonderful! I found the style of singing and the different percussion really fascinating and unique. Favourite track: Daande Lenol

favourite song - yela favourite lyric - idk idk the language cover - 5/10 album overall - 5/5 i want to eat it

great album by senegalese artist

Intense ethereal afropop magic

This was my first exposure to music from Senegal. There is a wide range of musical styles within this album, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them - very moving and beautiful.

All over the place stylistically, but I’m loving everywhere it goes.

Loved coming back to this one. Amazing sounds.

I really enjoyed this album. I wish there were more non-Western, non-English albums on this list. This is the kind of stuff I want to experience, not every crappy electronic artist that ever came out of Britain. This album is eclectic and a lot of fun. It ranges from (what I assume to be) very traditional Senegalese sounds to tracks that fuse indigenous and Western traditions. The Arabic influence is also very apparent throughout the album in instrumentation and singing style. His guitar playing is fantastic as well. Hamady Boiro is a Western-funk-rock influenced song that I wasn't expecting after the first few tracks. It's catchy as hell. Anyone who likes Western-African influenced 80s pop (think Talking Heads, Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, etc.) would enjoy this song. The Peter Gabriel connection isn't surprising once you realize they're both involved with Afro Celt Sound System. There are a few more tracks like that on the album, like Gidelam. Olel could be a song off the "Weekend at Bernie's" soundtrack ... take that as you will haha. It's very fun. It also reminds me of Vallenato music from Colombia, and I wonder if there's any historical connection there via the slave trade. I was surprised to find that Tidal had the English lyric translation to Daande Lenol, which is just a lovely song. I wish I had more clue what the other lyrics meant and some cultural context about the album and the artist. Given his association with Afro Celt Sound System and his soundtrack work on Wakanda, it makes sense that he's made this very Western-biased list, but I wonder how he's viewed in Senegal and Western Africa. But just taken in isolation as a pure listening experience, this was a great one. This is one of those albums where I definitely plan to dig deeper into the artist's other work. 5/5

Another 5/5 African album. That continent just does not miss!

unique cool funky trippy groovy awesome and cool

This is what the album generator is all about 4

I'm groovin

Fun stuff. I feel the are a little sprinkle of some more energy and this shit would burn places down. Solid 3.5

It’s always hard to rate the world music selections because I usually lack the cultural context for it and sometimes feel obligated to rate higher than I otherwise would because world music is such a small pool of the whole list. That said, I enjoyed this quite a bit. There’s a good deal of variety between songs that kept it feeling fresh the whole time.

Very intense music, unusual and unlikely common pop music stuff

World music is underappreciated, sometimes. Solid 4 Stars.

This was a great album. I could see myself listening to this while working and being completely relaxed.

A delightful slice of West African folk traditions mixed with some slight Western pop sensibilities.

You can never know what to expect on a foreign album with a language barrier, but the vibes completely won on Lam Toro. These guys know rhythm!! I also noticed some remarkably clean production, and I highly recommend listening to Sy Sawande with headphones on - it's a simple track, but the way the guitars were recorded is ear candy. Had a lot of fun with this one! Standouts: Hamady Boiro • Daniibe • Sy Sawande • Ndelorel • Minuit

Very hard to rate this one. There are some absolutely exquisite tracks on here. Stuff that really just makes you feel amazing. Then there is some stuff that fades into the background. But when I finished up with Minuit, I realized that the fantastic stuff is so good it cancels out the less interesting bits.

Sonorous and sweet

I was unfamiliar with Baaba Maal. This is a gem of an album.

...

African music and vocals, good background

Nice! I find his voice a little graying but I think that has more to do with my sensitivities than any negative qualities of the music.

i liked it a lot.

Wonderful album and for once a real album you should hear before you die. No medicore USA/UK band playing something, which so many bands have also played, which for some reason found its way on to this list.

I always like albums that are not from the usual European/Northern American/Australian - Western - world, as I like world music and getting to know different artists from other cultures, countries. I liked Baaba Maal's other album which was already on this list. This album is a good mix of African rhythms and singing with Western arrangements, funk and electronica elements. It was a bit long and the 90s production is a bit dated but overall it was a nice listen. P.s. some of the comments below mine was saddening to read, as if some people who do this challenge don't want to open their ears and minds and automatically rejects anything that is not from the Western world. Try to be a bit more open, please.

Exciting.

Excuse me what is this doing on my boomer rock list?

Hated the first half, back half is great! Noticing a trend. I would play some of these tracks for my kids, my grandma, my parents, and some are to get drunk and dance embarrassingly to. Fun listen, begging to be sampled.

Upbeat and boppy. Slow at times, but not in a bad way. 4/5

Ill take unique underrepresented "world music" like this over yet more britpop

this was a vibe

Solid Album! I enjoyed being immersed in the Senegalese culture, and I can appreciate the use of instrumentation. The singing overall was pleasant. It was refreshing to hear the diverse vocals throughout the riffs. 4 not 5 simply because I didn't understand the lyrics to analyze the lyrics vs musicality. I did look up the translation to some of the songs and found there were a variety of topics expressed such as Senegal, love, and life. I could imagine for a native speaker this would be top tier.

4.0/5.0: Great

interesting listen, enjoyed the more upbeat songs

very good

Almost completely under the radar, Baaba Maal added Senegalese music into the modern vernacular. The infectious grooves and fun melodies really bring the listeners in. Even not understanding the lyrics, it makes you want to move your body and have some fun. Can't wait to return to it

Didn’t understand a word, but I enjoyed listening

3.9 - I was torn by this album. He really has an incredible voice, but I'm not sure about the music that accompany it. It feels a little bit commercialised. I'd love something a lot more raw. Still good

Quite fun, not that special, but I tended to like the tracks that leaned in a more garish 80s direction. Fave Tracks: Hamady Boiro, Daniibe 3.6/5

Probably not something that I will visit frequently but I enjoyed it. A couple of the tracks even made it into my playlist.

4.5

people hating on something just because they don’t understand the lyrics is wow 😅 i feel i don’t need it with this one and i loved the vibe and sound of it all, i love the voice as well! good find on the list and i hope to find more albums in languages that’s not only english. because it’s def needed! downside is it’s quite long, 11 tracks at 1 hour basically. cut it down to 40 mins tops and i’m happy xD that seems to be my preferred length for an album in this project i’ve noticed haha

весело уютно

i lowkey think a lot of these reviewers are racist. sorry you had your worldview slightly expanded for an hour? this was cool! enjoyable vibes, even if it felt a little long. i loved the marimba. probably more of a 3.5 but what the hell, take the 4.

lots of really cool stuff going on here! i don't mind the "dated instrumentation" lots of other reviewers complain about - it's a product of its time, no big deal. what's here is really interesting and engaging, and seems to be drawing from many different sources. very cool despite me not understanding a word of it or even really having a wikipedia article to fall back on for context. i know i'm gonna sound like a gauche american for this but i really dig that shredding guitar solo in minuit at the end B) favorites: yela, toro, gidelam, olel, minuit

Was a beautiful album. Would enjoy re-listening to this album while enjoying a nice day laying in the grass and staring at the clouds. Not great for working music.