Album: Missing You (Mi Yeewnii)

Song Title

Time

Yoolelle Maman

Miyaabele

Fa Laay Fanaan

Leydi Ma

Jamma Jenngii

Fanta

Laare Yoo

Senegaale Ngummee

Mamadi

10)

Kowoni Maayo (Mi Yeewnii)

11)

Allah Addu Jam

Album: Missing You (Mi Yeewnii)

Song Title

Time

Yoolelle Maman

Miyaabele

Fa Laay Fanaan

Leydi Ma

Jamma Jenngii

Fanta

Laare Yoo

Senegaale Ngummee

Mamadi

10)

Kowoni Maayo (Mi Yeewnii)

11)

Allah Addu Jam

Performer Notes

This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel includes: Baaba Mal (vocals, guitar); Ouzin Barry (guitar, bass); Chris Franck (guitar, percussion); Mansour Seck, Ilon Ba, Kante Manfila, (guitar); Aly Wargue (flute); Elhadj Niang (bass); Lansine Kouyate (balafon); Elhadj Aw (calabash); Janio Coronado (congas); Massamba Diop, Assane Diop, Bouba Kalidou Ba (tama); Roberto Cuao Riviera (timbales); Beda Seck, Bakhane Seck, Aliou Seck, Ali Seck, Karim Mbaye, Massow Ndiaye, Pa Seck, Babacar Seck, Medioune Ndiaye, Zale Diagne, Assane Ndiaye, Thio Mbaye, Macadou Samb (percussion); Mamy Kanoute, Goundo Cissokho, Sokhna Cissoko, Tonia Lo, Mama Sall, Jean Negri, Samba Gueye, Kaouding Cissokho, Barou Sall, Serigne Dame Diouf, Domonic Mendes, Ibou Niongue, L.C.G.C. (background vocals).
Pure enchantment resonates through every track of this 2001 release. Baaba Maal's fingers dance over the strings of his acoustic guitar, while bass, balafon, calabash, and timbales create a joyful noise, over which Maal's expressive vocals soar. Abandoning the louder pop influence of his previous few albums, MISSING YOU reverts to the gently rollicking acoustic sound that lifted the Senegalese folk singer to international stardom in the early 1990s. (It was recorded mostly live in Senegal, with a few transparent overdubs.) The most stirring track here is the album closer, "Allah Addu Jam." The first few minutes feature Maal's plaintive vocals sung for peace with minimal instrumental accompaniment. At the four-minute mark, the full band comes in, and the song lifts to the spiritual intensity of a great gospel tune.

Professional Reviews

CMJ (6/11/01, p.12) - "...Vividly translates Maal's life experiences through its music and environmental sounds....It's a rich, almost opulent tribute to Maal's homeland."

Down Beat (12/01, pp.81-2) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...One of the best discs from the continent this year....engrossing..."

Vibe (8/01, p.162) - 4.5 discs out of 5 - "...An acoustic journey of pure enchantment..."

Mojo (Publisher) (5/01, p.108) - "...This is a quiet delight: intimate, powerful and majestic..."