Angelique Kidjo - Keep On Moving - The Best Of (2001)

The Benin-born, Paris-based singer Angélique Kidjo has become the most popular African female artist on the world-music scene. This compilation contains 18 tracks from her five CDs released between 1990 and 1998. An electrifying performer fluent in French, English-jazz vocalese, and her country's traditional zilin vocal techniques, Kidjo often sings in her native Fon/Yoruba language. Along with her husband, bassist/producer Jean Hebral, Kidjo conjures up a zesty mix of funk, Latin, jazz, gospel, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, and Afropop grooves. Kidjo covers a lot of ground--from Afro-pulsed renditions of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" to her indigenous take on George Gershwin's "Summertime." The rising hip-hop/gospel diva Kelly Price lends her sanctified sound to "Open Your Eyes," and Carlos Santana's bluesy guitar lines illuminate "Naima." The Tanzanian chant "Malaika" is dedicated to Kidjo's idol, Miriam Makeba, while "Senie," a spare track with background vocals and drums, is a shout out to the great Togolese singer Bella Bellow. Of course, this collection also contains Kidjo's most popular dance hits, including the infectious "Batonga," "Agolo," and the classic "Aye." This fabulous package shows why Kidjo is the belle of the world-music ball, with a host of fans from Cassandra Wilson to Branford Marsalis. --Eugene Holley Jr.