Joko: The Link

1	Wiri-Wiri 4:07
2	Birima 3:48
3	Mademba (The Electricity Is Out Again) 4:41
4	This Dream 5:14
5	Yama 5:51
6	She Doesn't Need to Fall 4:51
7	Miss 6:23
8	Beykat 4:29
9	Liggeey 4:41
10	My Hope Is in You 4:23
11	Red Clay 4:39

Barnes & Noble

Senegal's superstar, Youssou N'Dour, sits at the pinnacle of world music success, an artist who's earned an international profile and the respect of his fellow musicians. But fame has its price. Since his introduction to the West via Peter Gabriel's solo work in the '80s, N'Dour has maintained two separate artistic personas. At home in Dakar, at his state-of-the-art Xippi studio, Youssou crafts tough mbalax hits that never get heard in the West; he also cultivates the talents of African rootsmen like the superb Cheikh Lo. Then there's N'Dour's European face, often seen crooning in Wolof alongside Western pop stars (like Neneh Cherry on his huge single, "7 Seconds"). Joko, as its subtitle suggests, attempts to bridge the slick, urban N'Dour and the sinewy Youssou. The best tracks -- the slinky mbalax "Birima" and "Liggeey" -- ripple with sunny percussion and rich choruses, while the "7 Seconds" redux balladry of "This Dream" features Mr. Gabriel. Fans of Youssou's rootsy live shows will find a lot to like, as will devotees of his lavishly produced pop. Joko is less a bridge than a map of the two worlds that make up Youssou N'Dour. Mark Schwartz

Barnes & Noble

Senegal's superstar, Youssou N'Dour, sits at the pinnacle of world music success, an artist who's earned an international profile and the respect of his fellow musicians. But fame has its price. Since his introduction to the West via Peter Gabriel's solo work in the '80s, N'Dour has maintained two separate artistic personas. At home in Dakar, at his state-of-the-art Xippi studio, Youssou crafts tough mbalax hits that never get heard in the West; he also cultivates the talents of African rootsmen like the superb Cheikh Lo. Then there's N'Dour's European face, often seen crooning in Wolof alongside Western pop stars (like Neneh Cherry on his huge single, "7 Seconds"). Joko, as its subtitle suggests, attempts to bridge the slick, urban N'Dour and the sinewy Youssou. The best tracks -- the slinky mbalax "Birima" and "Liggeey" -- ripple with sunny percussion and rich choruses, while the "7 Seconds" redux balladry of "This Dream" features Mr. Gabriel. Fans of Youssou's rootsy live shows will find a lot to like, as will devotees of his lavishly produced pop. Joko is less a bridge than a map of the two worlds that make up Youssou N'Dour. Mark Schwartz