A 46-year West African institution that's endured as many lineup shifts as Fleetwood Mac, this all-female cohort of more than a dozen Guinean militia members, founded as part of President Sekou Toure's effort to foster an independent national culture, hasn't recorded in over half that time. In fact this is just their second full-length album. And if that made-for-NPR back story is what initially grabs your attention, so much the better, because they sound like they're just 15 visas away from being the hottest touring band out of West Africa.

Under the capable leadership of bassist Commandant Salematou Diallo, they've entered a Malian studio and cut what should stand the most significant African comeback record since Orchestra Baobab's Specialist in All Styles in 2002. M'mah Sylla typically commands center stage, and her hectoring nasal shout, softened only by responses from the two other singers, contrasts nicely with the liquid subtleties underneath. The guitars of Yaya Kouyate and N'sira Tounkarath swirl rather than flow; the trap drums, timbales, and assorted percussion dips rather than bumps. Each cut is keyed to a hooky moment or two, with the simple bass hook of "Deni Wana" a particular favorite, but whenever they let loose, the… read more »