Daby Touré is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with an easygoing African pop fusion style that reflects his background. The son of a doctor and musician, he was brought up in Mauritania and Senegal before moving to Paris, where he began mixing African influences with pop and jazz. Six years ago he released an intriguing collaboration with blues guitarist Skip McDonald, but this new solo set is a reminder of his ability to write pleasantly commercial songs. It’s impossible to dislike, even if it rarely challenges or excites. Touré has a fine acrobatic voice, sings in a variety of West African languages and accompanies himself on guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion, with occasional help from a brass trio. The best tracks are Oma, an impressive reggae lament for a struggling immigrant, and a Khone, a multi-tracked a cappella song of African liberation co-written by Touré’s dad in the 60s.
