Search - Xalam :: Wam Sabindam

"Roots" of mbalax

07/24/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Combine electric guitars and keyboard virtuosity, with equal prowess in African percussion (in this case, from Senegal), and what do you get? Afro-Rock? That's the legendary group Xalam. Dynamite vocal harmony, too. Unfortunate that lead singer Souleymane Faye's powerful voice seems to be missing from this album. (The reason I give 4 instead of 5 stars to this otherwise great recording). This group is the "Daddy," the "prototype" for all the mbalax bands that came out of the 1980s, including superstars such as Youssou N'Dour. Ah, if only someone would reissue for CD Xalam's first album, entitled "Ndiguel." Takes your breath away! And to think these guys also gigged with the 'Stones (Undercover), as well as with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young."