The debut from Malian singer Rokia Koné finds her linking up with hit Producer Jacknife Lee, who has worked with everyone from Taylor Swift to U2, to create a genre-defying album that uplifts and elevates. Mixing tradition with the contemporary, analogue with digital, ‘Bamanan’ is a showcase of Koné’s exceptional vocals. While the bass rumble of ‘Karumba’ is ready for dance floor edits, the minimal synth chords on ballad ‘N’yanyan’ allows Koné’s vocals cavernous space so as to fully capture their intensity. An album of contrasts, the low Dub of ‘Dunden’ is followed up by the upbeat global Dance of ‘Mayougouba’, and time and again Koné’s vocals deservedly take centre stage.