The British debut performance of Les Amazones d’Afrique at Womad last summer was a triumph. This all-female collective of celebrated west African singers from different generations came together to help victims of violence against women. The lineup included Mali’s legendary griotte Kandia Kouyaté and the young Nigerian hip-hop artist Nneka, and the songs were transformed by their exuberant harmony vocals.
There is less of a sense of community on their album, a set often dominated by the instrumental work of Irish electronic producer Liam Farrell. Some of it works well: there is a rousing, Congotronics-style workout featuring Angélique Kidjo and Farrell, and powerful duets between Kouyaté and the young Malian singer Rokia Koné. But with Mariam Doumbia (of Amadou and Mariam) and Inna Modja only making brief appearances, and only one collaboration featuring most of the cast, the excitement of that Womad show is missing.
