N'der Fouta Toro, Vol. 1

Regarded by some as Baaba Maal's muse, Mansour Seck cofounded, arranges for, and plays guitar in the wonder boy's band, Dande Lenol. This mostly acoustic outing features various combinations of guitar, kora, and hoddu, with guest appearances by Baaba and vocalist Ousmane Hamady Diop. But the best cuts are sung by Seck himself, who projects a tranquil, meditative quality all his own.