Diawar (1989)

"Senegalese guitarist, harmonica player and singer Ismaël Lo is a rising star of world music. With his smooth multi-textured voice and low-key folky style, he and his band play strong, complex, percussion-laden mbalax songs that discuss important topics in Senegal ranging from racism and respect to immigration. This is his fourth solo release. The horn arrangements are tight, and the combination of horns and guitar lines makes for a nice, danceable groove throughout the album. Aside from the superb instrumental work, however, Lo's voice is really the star of the album. At times able to command the full capacity of many of his African vocalist predecessors (Salif Keita, Youssou N'Dour, etc.), he is also capable of providing a nice, soft vocal texture to lay over the top of the instrumental end if necessary." (Sandra Brennan / Adam Greenberg, Allmusic)