Album: Angelique Kidjo - Djin Djin

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Angelique Kidjo proves language knows no barrier when it comes to music on her latest release Djin Djin. Kidjo's tenth album sees her returning to her Beninese roots and singing in multiple languages including her mother tongue Fon. Aiding her in this spirited release is a cast of all star guests including Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Ziggy Marley, Carlos Santana and Peter Gabriel.

Intended as a return to her musical roots, Djin Djin is a melting pot of funk, soul, RnB and island sounds intertwined with pure African rhythms. The sheer diversity of this album is astounding when listening to her inspired remakes of Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones), Pearls (Sade) and Bolero (French composer Ravel). Her original tracks are equally mesmerizing.

It would be easy to dismiss this album as a ‘world’ record but that would not do it justice. In a time where genre bending and musical fusion is encouraged, Kidjo's latest offering is groundbreaking and a breath of fresh air. Raw and unbridled, earthy and grounded, Djin Djin is sheer energy. We need more albums like this.

Available Through Razor & Tie (EMI)