Oumou Sangare, Worotan (World Circuit/Nonesuch) 9-
When I saw Oumou Sangare on the Africa Fete '95 tour, she was an annoyance to suffer through in between the dynamic sets of Baaba Maal and Femi Kuti. With this album, however, Mali's prized folk-pop singer finally gets her groove with the help of James Brown band veteran Pee Wee Ellis, who contributes his tenor sax and arrangements to the horn section. The delicate, lilting music also includes Spanish guitars, Peul flute, violins, djembe, kamallngoni and a bolon. Another step in this direction could put her close to the popularity of Cesaria Evora.







