(April 2023) Episode 487 is YOUSSOU N’DOUR. Senegal’s biggest musical star, he is known for popularizing the genre known as “mbalax” that fused indigenous drumming with wider Western and Afro-pop elements.  You probably know him from his collaboration on Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” which put him on the international scene.  I kinda prefer the raw authenticity of his early cassette recordings, although he has recorded many fine albums in the studio (as well as some pop-oriented duds).  

Favorite album: Rokku Mi Rokka

Favorite crossover album: Egypt

Favorite song: Birima

Favorite crossover song: Touba Dar Es Salaam

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: it’s happy mood music, so it works in the background or the foreground, or to dance to