Les Amazones d’Afrique, the all-female collective of celebrated west African singers from different generations came together to help victims of violence against women. The line-up included Mali’s legendary griotte (singer) Kandia Kouyate 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 Angelique Kidjo and Farrell, and powerful duets between Kouyate and the young Malian singer Rokia Kone. 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.
