Lam Toro

Baaba maal is cool

Interesting afro vibes. Folk percussion in combination with high-pitched vocal + some string instruments.

i never knew I needed synthesizer-infused afropop, but here we are. 4/5

It's as if 1980s Western Pop music met African style music in the 1990s for some reason. It's not a good mix, although the singing itself is actually great. Favorite Track: "Sy Sawande".

5/10… afro pop / desert blues / *1992

3.5

Fun to listen to, but I doubt I'll return.

Actually quite enjoyed this. Didn't understand a word but understood the vibes. 4/5

He could be singing some very offensive shit, it still sounds good though.

A lot to love here, but maybe not quite as much as his other record on here because some of the tracks have a kind of cheesy production that was perhaps meant to make it more palatable to American and European ears.

Thoroughly enjoyed

Listened

I liked it. It reminded me of Babatunde from many, may years ago.

Again, this is a great album, really enjoyed it but can't see myself listening to it again really.

When this popped up I figured I had never heard of the artist or the album. But as soon as I heard Baaba Maal's voice, I knew it sounded familiar to me. I could find very little information on the album itself, but I looked up Baaba Maal on Wikipedia. First of all, his story is super interesting and he's done some amazing things - both musically and for various charities. Second, I figured out why I know his voice. It's probably because my husband listens to "There Will Be Time" by Mumford and Sons with Baaba Maal at least once a week if not once a day. If you've never heard the song, I highly recommend listening/watching the "Live From Africa" version. It's a religious experience. Back to the actual album.... I didn't know any of the words, but Baaba Maal's voice is so amazing that I didn't have to know what he was saying. The music is beautiful and interesting. I loved how he blended some other sounds of pop and rock into the traditional Senegalese music. This album is a perfect example of why I enjoy doing this project. This is an album I would have never listened to otherwise, and I wouldn't have bothered to look further into Baaba Maal even though "There Will Be Time" is a favorite song.

Afrikkalaista musiikkia Senegalista. Ihan kiva tunnelma.

Not my thing

Not bad, probably needs a few more listens to really buy into it, and a genre that is very unfamiliar to me. It feels like something I'd have on in the background rather than concentrate on, but could be worth the effort.

Not knowing the context of the album, it's hard to give a full fair review - but in a vacuum, it was a fun listen

Pretty fun listen from a very talented Senegalese vocalist and guitarist, about half the tracks are just fantastic, highlights include "Daande Lenol", "Daniibe" and "Sy Sawande" (lovely track!) (also "Ndelorel" and "Minuit" are great!). However the more funk-infused highlife cuts have this midi-esque cornyness to them (production wise (for example the drums and horns on "Lem Gi" (wtf)) - other than that, very good performances and fantastic vocals. The good tracks does outweigh the bad significantly, so all in all it's worth the while, would be a fantastic 45ish minute album 7/10

Hard to assess as it is an unfamiliar musical area. Closest I relate it to is Wes, but he is from Cameroon which is not at all close to Senegal. Very interesting and would definitely listen again.

I looked back at my review of the other album from him that I listened to a few months ago, and I gave it five stars. Unfortunately I had no recollection of it but I wondered if it was an overreaction. Listening to this today I can say it was not. What a cool blend of African and modern (for the early 90's) sounds. These albums are the reason I continue with this project. I never would have listened to anything by Baaba Maal on my own. Have I had to slog through lots of things I'd rather never have listened to? Absolutely. But this was great and I'm so glad I've been able to find such cool music to listen to. Even if I don't remember it well, I had a blast listening today. Standouts were Toro, Hamady Boiro, Olel, and Lem Gi. But I enjoyed all of it very much.

Heard Before? Nope. Notes: - With a list so over committed to the anglo-american rock canon, tokenism is going to be an issue. But one great Senegalese album is better than none. - Thanks to Allmusic, I also checked out the rawer, more traditional Baaba Maal album Djam Leelii. Fantastic. - i was expecting the glossy production to irritate me, but except for the heartily cheesy "Minuit", it serves the music well. - really enjoyed all the subtle percussion elements, the powerful flutes and lovely backing vocals. Verdict: Powerful, evocative vocals with constantly modulating counterpoint ride on a hypnotic undercurrent of repeated guitar figures and restrained percussion. Listen Again? Yes! And more Senegalese music as well. Rare though these moments are, I'm thankful when this list acts as a springboard.

genuinely pleasant music, the production is actually rather fitting as I was afraid this was gonna sound weird and out of place, but it's actually a pretty good listen.

Ah it's so refreshing to get away from britpop and "indie" music and be exposed to sounds from other cultures. Not something I would regularly listen to, but it set a nice mood and inspires wanderlust. Favorite songs: Sy Sawande (beautiful) and Gidelam (percussion).

i wish i liked this more, baaba maal rules but a lot of the music here feels super flat and it sort of feels like he's spinning his wheels for a lot of it. i still like it and it certainly has its moments, but it's definitely nowhere near peak baaba maal

By the last tracks I feel like a real cosmopolitan. What an album!

I reviewed Baaba Maal’s Djam Leelii about eight months ago, and I thought it was a good album. Even though I didn’t understand the lyrics or the broader context of what made it be included on this list, I thought the music on it was really good. I love bright guitar melodies and synthesizers, so a lot of West African music is right up my alley. I’m hoping that I’ll enjoy this second Baaba Maal album just as much, or possibly more than Djam Leelii. Just like Djam Leelii, I didn’t understand any of the lyrics on Lam Toro, but I still really enjoyed it. I thought Baaba Maal did a wonderful job of layering rich melodies throughout the songs on this album, and the end result was a beautiful album that offered plenty of different sounds and moods through its music. There was so much to take in on Lam Toro, and I’m bummed that I couldn’t find any notes to tell me what instruments were used in the creation of this album. Listening to this album was really fun, and I really want to add a copy of Lam Toro to my music collection. Some notes on the individual songs: I really liked the vibe of “Yela.” It felt like this song was trying to convey a darkness bubbling under the surface, like a warning or an omen. I just really loved the melodies that made up this song. I loved the funky groove of “Hamady Boiro.” The bass line was excellent, and that guitar that kicked in towards the end really rocked. “Daniibe” gets really good about half way in. When that xylophone sound kicks in, and the bass cranks up, and the drums start punching harder, it sounded fantastic. I really liked the bright melodies of “Gidelam.” The percussion had so many layers to it, and it complemented the other elements so well. I loved the bright tones of “Olel.” There was a lot of complexity to the melody, but it was a rich and beautiful sound, and the bass groove was great too. “Sy Sawande” was really beautiful. It was a bit simpler melodically than the album has been so far, but it sounded great, and it was a nice addition to this album. I really liked the vocals on this song too, and the guitar playing was particularly gorgeous. I liked the horns and bright guitar on “Lem Gi.” The synthesizers/keyboards were great too. The electric guitar on Minuit was excellent. What a cool way to close this album. Some things truly transcend language, and the beautiful melodies of Lam Toro are a perfect example of that. This album will probably wind up being my favorite of the West African albums that I got to review.

مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ

Nah

this is something my fourth grade music teacher probably made us listen to while she loudly clapped along and attempted to sing in Pulaar

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

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 the cultural background to understand this music but I love the sound and feels.

Different. In a good way.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Proof that Music and Passion can transcend language

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

It sounds really good but it’s too damn long. If you shave like 3 to 4 minutes off some of these tracks, it would be phenomenal.

Vilken skit!

Pretty good.

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

Amazing album. No skips.

Makes ya wanna go to Senegal, right?

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

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.

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.

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.

Another easy listen. African albums hit different.

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.

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

Really something unique to listen to

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.

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*

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.

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

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

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.

Bangeer!

Like a holiday in Africa with extra everything.

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

Va någe ganske kult i dette albumet, det va litt jazzhands til tider, men ikkje heilt min stil.

intresting

Going to be honest, I did not listen to the entire thing. But from what I did listen to it was very solid.

Surprisingly funky. His voice is one of the most emotive..

no entedíi nada

This genre blows my wiener

Repetitive and doesn't go anywhere. Enjoyed the rhythms though. His voice gets rather whiney. 2/5

i always like something different, and while this wasn't necessarily my favorite, i enjoyed

Love the vocals and the guitar. The music has a great vibe too. No idea what he’s singing about, but it was passionate and genuine. I felt uplifted listening to this.

Worldly background music. Nothing to love or hate.

I enjoyed the guitar work in this.

The first track here was jarring, but I found myself getting drawn in. Of course, no idea of the lyrics but that doesn’t matter. I’m pleased that this was offered up, although it is unlikely that I will pick it up for repeat listening.

DNF

It is something of a cliche that when these sorts of albums that someone has to write that this is the reason that they're glad that they on the list. It's my turn. I'm so glad that this album cropped up on the list. I have no idea about the content of the lyrics but the music is beautiful.

I've seen Baba live and he was such an entertainer. Unfortunately, the 80s style production let's this one down in my opinion.

No fav song

The simpler the instrumentation on these songs, the more I liked them. The vocals and the acoustic guitars are fantastic, but when electric bass, synths, a drum kit comes in that gets lost, and it starts to feel dated and westernized to my western ears. Sometimes it still works, but not always. But when it's stripped back, like "Yela" and "Daandle Lenol" and "Daniibe" and "Sy Sawande," it's pretty captivating. I'd recommend songs like that as must-listens, even if I might press the album. I'll look forward to the other Baaba Maal album on the list.

I did jam with this a bit, the synths do work here. I still don’t love the way Baaba Maal screeches sometimes, but I liked the more fusion-y parts of this. Before starting this generator, my only exposure to this sort of music was from Lion King. While it’s still not my favorite, and I wouldn’t consider myself having an “appreciation” for it, I’m really glad I listened to something I never would have otherwise. Thank you SidledsGunnar (totally blanked on your real name) for all you’ve done.

1,2/5

Lovely

Apresenta canções com condução rítmica interessante, mas os aspectos vocais étnicos não agradam.