VA - The Music in My Head Volume 1-2 (1998/2002)

This soundtrack to a book stands perfectly well alone, picking up some west African classics from the 1970s and '80s, when the music was finding its identity--as well as some obscure gems. This mix is close to perfect--in fact, the only clanger is the slick Parisian production from Omar Pene and Super Diamono. There's a young Youssou N'Dour with "Etoile de Dakar"--then the mature man of the '90s--in total command of his music; Salif Keita; and, of course, some classic work from the inimitable Franco. The standout, however, has to be "Etoile 2000," where fuzzed-out, psychedelic guitar meets Afropop, and the percussion adds dub touches; you've never heard anything like this before. A compilation that goes behind the curtain of African music and uncovers the real roots gems. --Chris Nickson

Follow-ups usually have trouble surpassing their predecessors, but this compilation of West African pop nuggets is an exception to the rule. Maybe because the tracks were (with one exception) recorded between 1976 and 1985 instead of over 20 years, but Music in My Head, Vol. 2 has a stylistic continuity and musical flow that makes it a better introduction to the range of Western African pop than volume one. Etoile de Dakar's explosive opener, "Dom Son Nare Bakh," features galloping guitar and El Hadj Faye's powerful lead vocal -- Faye and his subsequent group, Etoile 2000, may be the true unknown treasures unearthed by these compilations. Thione Seck's beautiful high voice and anchoring guitar chord maintain the balance against chattering guitar and percussion on "Diongoma" for just the right amount of time. Ousmane Kouyate's "Beni Haminanko" is really two songs in one, opening with a kinduva '50s R&B/doo wop teen innocence balafon feel before shifting to a total modern African sound with impassioned singing from Mamady Diabate. That opening trio really welcomes you into the disc and sets up Youssou N'Dour's gentle "Pitche Mi" ballad and the acoustic push of Orchestra Baobab's "Ndiawolou. Tracks by Keletigui (straightforward and rocking) and the 22 Band (spare and funky) are minor but serve as nice changes of pace. The Rail Band's "Jurukan" features stately guitar and a midsong near-rap by Mory Kante over a percussion breakdown before Aminata Fall goes almost acid jazz à la African with soothing keyboards and a funk bassline. Super Mama Djombo's "Guiné-Cabral" works off hypnotic, soothing African guitars and Balla et Ses Balladins' gentle, reggae-tinged "Bambo" is flavored with horn solos. It's a very mellow exit to a disc that flows beautifully and boasts the kind of continuity and variety you hope for in a great compilation.