Youssou N'Dour - Immigres (1984) [Reissue 1995]

This is the album that first brought Youssou N'Dour international attention and it's easy to see why. Apart from the gorgeous title track, his prayer for (and plea to) his Senegalese countrymen abroad, there's plenty of his arresting mbalax rhythms here, marvelously danceable with the tama drum working across the juddering beat. But it's that inimitable, eerily high voice that shines throughout. After hearing this disc, superstar Peter Gabriel became N'Dour's mentor, helping to launch him to global fame. But, in many ways, this remains far more rootsy and satisfying than much of the work he's done since; it's made for his native market without compromise. So there's a true earthiness to a track like "Taaw" with its excellent guitar work by Jimi Mbaye, and throughout N'Dour's band, Super Etoile, really get to stretch out. A seminal piece of N'Dour. --Chris Nickson