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  Alpha Yaya Diallo
Djama (Jericho Beach Music JBM0501, 2005)
Born in Guinea but presently residing in Vancouver, guitarist/singer
Alpha
Yaya Diallo gives his fifth album an acoustic, back-to-basics sparkle. It's
an approach that many West African musicians have embraced of late, and whether
it's reflective of Diallo getting sentimental about his homeland or simply
knowing a good thing when he sees/hears it, Djama is a winner.
Diallo's guitar playing, which has a Manding-rooted but farther-reaching feel
similar to that of
Habib
Koité, deftly graces the percussion, bass and second guitar accompaniment.
Some flute and balafon add color at times, sweetening a mix of tradition-fueled
vocal and instrumental tunes, desert blues and a potent dose of Lusophone
melancholy on "Cette Vie." Absent is the sort of generalized Afropop that Diallo
occasionally had a way with on his previous discs, but it isn't really missed.
While Djama is obviously aiming for the heart and soul, its introspective
nature does not preclude Diallo from giving it the right degree of musical kick.
It may not turn your living room into an African dancefloor, but it certainly
will grow on you. If you liked the recent unplugged stuff by
Mory
Kanté,
Youssou N'Dour,
Salif
Keita and
Baaba
Maal, you'll like this too. [Buy
Djama].
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