Lam Toro

Well let me start by saying it's so nice to hear this style of music by someone other than terrible sex pest Paul Simon IYKYK. This was a lovely album, again I did not understand a single bit of what they were sayin but I enjoyed it and it made me feel like I was at a Cirque du Soleil show.

Really nice groove. It's great to be exposed to some non-Western music. I would listen to this album again by choice, which is more than I can say for a lot of music on this list. If you like Paul Simon's Graceland album you may well like this.

Previously unknown. Interesting but didn't fully land for me n

10/30/26. Need to listen more to appreciate, but always love exposure to music outside the Western world. A couple of these tracks have addictive grooves.

It’s cool vibe but like will I listen to this after today ? Probably not

Album art looks like a footballer promotion shot for a new signing. No idea, let's go Baaba. ----------------------- Minimalist Mind-bending Meditative Percussion on point - lots of variety, different rhythms. Guitar that loops - almost like it would be used in hip hop or dance tracks. Interesting vocals - I like how the vocal style is so difficult from traditional western music. Traditional folk instruments add interest. Casio keyboard synths - sound very awkward and dated at times. Folk/funk fusion - a nice amount of experimentation. 3* - but to revisit as it may be a grower.

I think this is beautiful and awesome I mean fuck it this is a 5 why not man

It’s happy music. That’s what music should be

One thing I really appreciate about this challenge is discovering artists I probably would have never come across on my own. It's great being exposed to music from different parts of the world and hearing sounds and styles I'm not normally familiar with. However, sometimes that music just doesn't click with me, and unfortunately, this is one of those times. I really tried to get into this album, but it just wasn't happening. Baaba Maal is clearly a talented musician, and there are definitely moments I can appreciate, especially when the more traditional instruments come through. However, I'm really not a fan of the synth-heavy, almost MIDI-like sounds scattered throughout the album. They give parts of it a dated feel that I just couldn't get past. I would've loved to hear more of the organic instrumentation because that's where the music was most interesting to me. Ultimately, I think this just comes down to personal taste. I can absolutely understand why others would appreciate this album, and I'm glad I got to experience something outside my usual listening habits. But despite giving it a fair shot, very little grabbed my attention, and I can't see myself returning to it anytime soon. I'm giving this one a 2.2 out of 5.

While I didn't understand the lyrics (besides a tiny bit of French), I felt a lot of joy emminating from this album. Will give it a listen again!

What a voice! Beautifully executed

Very cool sounds. Did not know him at all. Whirled Music!

fine

Fine, nothing too crazy but not bad either. I'm convinced most people on here want every artist to speak American.

Really interesting blend of Senegalese music and 80s production especially on “Daniibe” and “Olel”. *Fav tracks: Daniibe; Minuit*

Sometimes I think it’s difficult to rate an album when I don’t know the meaning of the lyrics because it’s in another language. Music is universal, and I love discovering cultural influences from all around the world, but if I can’t understand the lyrics, it’s kind of a dealbreaker. It has some cool parts though. 2/5. Yela: 3 Toro: 2 Daande Lenol: 2 Hamady Boiro: 3,5 Daniibe: 2 Gidelam: 2 Olel: 2,5 Sy Sawande: 2 Ndelorel: 2 Lem Gi:2 Minuit: 2

Oh this is not for me

Kinda funky

Lam Toro is rooted in traditional African music, and that comes out in the rhythmic songs and communal vocals. But its music is surprisingly minimal, and that really saps the life out of it. The drums and intricate guitar are both turned way down in the mix, to the point where the vocals dominate a few of these songs. Along with those instruments are some synths, which sound cheap on songs like "Olel." While listening to this I can't help but think of all the much move lively and joyful African music out there - compared to Fela Kuti, William Onyeabor, or zamrock, this is almost ambient music. It's possible Maal was working with the tools he had here, which I have respect for but which doesn't make it any more enjoyable to listen to.

Varbut, ja es zinatu vardus, butu citadak. Bet sis bija smth different atleast

Ļoti interesanti, bija vērts noklausīties, bet baigi augstu vērtējumu es neliktu

Good shit.

Decent blend of traditional African music with more modern funk sounds. Works in parts, but is uneven. Probably due to my unfamiliar ear, but this album works best when it leans more into the funk than traditional sound. The percussion is consistently enjoyable. Top tracks: Hamady Boiro, Olel, Minuit

Groovy and delightful!

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

Very refreshing and lovely. The vocals are raw, beautiful.

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.

I wouldn’t rush to revisit it but plenty of interesting instrumentation and nice funky grooves

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.

Nice, world music

oh HELL yeah VERY big fan of this. daniibe and gidelam were some particular standouts but I enjoyed the whole album. tho the synths were slightly distracting at times i really enjoyed the harmonies + style. give me this any day of the week over another cure album!!!!!!

An unexpected pleasure. I hadn't heard of him and it also led to some other really cool music.

Pretty enjoyable - 3.5

He reminds me of Gurrumul, if Gurrumul had found an avenue of dance pop. Cool and lovely music. Though I don't understand the language, I love the sound and rhythm. It's infectious. I'll listen again.

I like this album when it goes for the more acoustic and softer parts. But I feel like a lot of this album just is very loud and not in an enjoyable way. It's got a lot of nice blended elements. The different levels of instruments at a really unique texture to the sound. It's nice, but I just like parts of this more than the whole thing, and it's just not something I would really come back to to be honest. Fav Track: Hamady Boiro

Pleasant listen and I enjoyed the grooves.. Great voice and loved the rhythms and the use of the "talking" drums. Very much like Yousoo N'Dour, a fellow Senegalese artist. It went on a little long . Glad that African music is represented on the list.

Powerful voice, and the percussion really stood out to me especially. It feels slightly out of sync by intention but also very complex and quite mesmerising. Still, the meandering lengthy song structures couldn't hold my attention well over the course of an hour, which probably says more about me than the album itself.

It's not a bad album at all! Of course I don't understand the tongue, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it.

Walking the dog in 50 degree fall weather as this played was such a nice relaxing experience. This whole album is just a mood, and I’m glad this list can introduce me to albums like this amid all the Brit bias fluff.

Pas assez de connaissances pour apprécier techniquement l'album, mais écoute agréable.

C'est plutôt rafraîchissant d'écouter ce genre de musique !

Absolutely grooves along. The opening track Yela is a slow-building sorrowful vibe before it starts to hit its stride through Toro and beyond.

Not bad, needs furthers listens

Some songs are very groovy. I like the percussion and the funky guitar work. Minuit has a great electric guitar solo 3.3/5 Favorite Songs: Hamady Boiro Gidelam Olel Ndelorel Minuit

Pretty solid, good beats and vibes, a few curveballs here and there. Hard to compare to anything else really.

I've grown to appreciate Baaba on the second album of his from the list. There's such a positive energy in the songs that it bounces you forward in a head bobbing like trance. The funky bass and synth sections are also great. It all helps create a very specific vibe that makes you feel like your stepping out of the suburbs into something wild and fun.

Really lively sound. Great percussion and a very expressive voice. Nice album.

I don't get it.

It is what it is. And I didn’t hate it.

it wasn't a bad album or anything, but personaly it was quite hard to get through it

I don’t understand any of it. Doesn’t stop it being entertaining but I can’t give any marks for lyrics. On a slightly unrelated note I wonder what score I would give Bob Dylan, given his voice is marginal, if I didn’t understand English?

I had never listened to more than one track at a time from Baaba Maal before. This album is excellent. I intend to seek out more.

Some passable songs, but mostly boring, doesn't reach 3 stars

Wish there were more albums like this one so i could distinguish between them better. Great cause it's world, but it didn't hook me

African rhythms and instruments mixed with elements of soft rock, pop, folk. I liked the singing a bit more than on his other album on the list, maybe because it was a better match with the instrumentation. The production is also much better on this. I enjoyed the listen and it was great hearing something a bit different but I'm not sure it'll be on replay.

I guess someone must like this, or it wouldn't be on this list, but I don't, and I'm not wasting anymore time with it. Heard before  ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ in part Revisit ❌️ ★★☆☆☆(4/10) Total reviewed : 433 Already owned : 98 Purchased : 21 To buy : 5 Nope : 309

I imagine I would like this better with repeated exposure, and it's unequivocally an interesting listen. But with just a couple listens under my belt it's odd enough that it doesn't quite hook. Part of the magic of being exposed to new music.

Actually very well-thought out and groovy African record, don't know why this guy has two albums on here but this is definitely his better album

Veikkaisin että Afrikkaa. Hankala tuntea sanoja kun ei osaa kieltä. Sellaista alkuperäistä tämä on.

Beautiful album.

Excellent record. Really good.

Not sure what was supposed to make this album influential as I didn’t understand a single word of it. Ok music even if it wasn’t something I enjoy. 2.5/5

Overproduced 90s snoozefest.

This is a nice left turn from the usual classic pop and rock on the list. I can't say whether this is the best representation of the genre, and I can't say I'd return to it, but I enjoyed the listen.

I guess this was fun, IDK, it was new.

So, not my cup of tea, but I can certainly respect it.

As it stands, I'm very satisfied with the selection of non-anglophone albums on the list, but there is something specific about Baaba Maal's music that simply doesn't sit right with me. Both this album and Djam Leeli are probably my least favourite World releases I've heard during the challenge so far. Overall, I did slightly prefer Djam Leeli, the way this album is produced just kills the potential appeal of many tracks. I did enjoy Hamady Boiro, at least.

Really enjoyed that african vibe (as usual) 3.5

I like it without finding it memorable at all. A nice background album for me.

This kind of music doesn't do much for me. Not my cup of tea.

⭐⭐⭐ World music. Det finns inget här som får mig att tycka det är dåligt men samtidigt är nog mina musiköron inte erfarna nog att riktigt ta till mig det, att jag inte förstår språket påverkar nog också. Det växer med lyssningar och det finns spännande och intressanta element här med instrument och rytmer. Jag kan tänka mig att lyssna på albumet igen men kommer förmodligen försvinna i mängden då det inte är något riktigt starkt spår som fastnar hos mig så det blir en 3a. Bäst är Minuit, Daniibe, Lem Gi, Minuit

genre bending and fun

Unda om Ludwig Göransson har lyssnat på detta...

Otroligt fascinerad över såna där pratande trummor.

Önskar den va instrumentell har svårt för det där sättet att sjunga 2/5

Even though I couldn't find the lyrics in English, I really liked this music. He has a French soul.

Good rhythm and beats

3.5 Second Senegalese album of the week! Preferred Djam Leeli to be honest but this is still an enjoyable album

Refreshing to hear something out of my comfort zone. I don’t understand a single word, but I feel the joy. Amazing vocals. 4/5

It’s very inviting and relaxing, I could see myself putting this in the background while I do something. It’s upbeat and optimistic while keeping a good momentum throughout. It’s an easy and pleasant listen that I would recommend not skipping.

not my style but I have to admit it has GREAT rhythm and it made me bop my head a few times

I like world music and have enjoyed most of the African albums on this list, including the other one by Baaba Maal, but this was just so-so. The problem seems to be the synths, which could’ve been used to cool effect; here, though, they feel super 90s and cheesy. It makes the album feel dated and overly commercial. After the first few tracks, I felt my enthusiasm waning.