It took ten years before a follow-up finally emerged to Balbalou; Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô’s last, acclaimed album from 2015. With the beautiful new release Maame, this most beloved of African musicians is back stronger than ever. It’s a pan-African album that had its origins in the home studio he built during Covid, but was later enhanced with contributions from musicians from all over the world, from the Czech Republic to Congo. In addition to his characteristically sweet guitar sound, it also features traditional West African instruments such as balafon, kora and talking drums. Lô mixes Senegalese mbalax music with jazz, reggae, pop and classical music. He is known as one of Africa's best writers of love songs who is very much involved with societal issues, but someone who also moves people in a physical sense. With Cheikh Lô, every concert’s a trip around the world, with Africa as the point of departure.
