Ndagga ND-23 ( 12″ / Download )

A: Walo Walo Version
B1: Ndiguel Groove
B2: Walo Walo Rhythm

Three killers heralding the next phase of this dazzling expression of a dream Dakar-Berlin nexus.
All instrumental — though the opener has snatches of singing — with the vocal versions held back for the new album. The music just gets deadlier and deadlier — harder-boiled and deeper; more focussed, confident and dubwise. Evoking the ancient cultural legacy of the griots, ‘Walo Walo’ is also the name of the sabar rhythm underlying the opener, which features Ibou Mbaye’s percussive synth-work, Mangone Ndiaye Dieng’s kit-drumming, and Bada Seck’s rigorous jolts of lower-pitched Thiol drum. The ‘Groove’ version is tough as nails; well and truly gnarly. A tribute to the Baye Fall leader, Ndiguel Groove is a sparse, mellow interpretation of the most traditional cut on the album, showcasing Assane Ndoye Cisse’s insinuating guitar lines, Laye Lo’s super-elasticated snare-drumming, and Bada Seck playing the khine drums associated with the Baye Fall. (Short and wide; lightweight but low-pitched.) Pretty awesome.

12″: Hard Wax • Honest Jon’s
Download: Hard Wax • iTunes