Fatou World Circuit****

Mali’s Fatoumata Diawara has already packed a career or two into her 29 years. She has been a child dancer, a successful actor, and a backing singer on projects by Oumou Sangare, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cheikh Lo and Herbie Hancock. Diawara emigrated to Paris (in the face of drastic parental opposition) and now embarks on a new role as singer-songwriter. She is a fine vocalist, expressive and intimate by turn, and lyrically she follows her mentor, Oumou Sangare, as a commentator on Malian social issues. The restrained and tasteful backing includes contributions from John Paul Jones, Tony Allen and Toumani Diabate. With such influential friends, remarkably assured stage performances at Womad and elsewhere, and a beaming smile that lives long in the memory, Diawara is sure to make waves before long. See worldcircuit. co.uk

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