Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A welcome reissue on the Nonesuch label!
A juicy, expanded 2-CD reissue of Baobab's legendary 1982 album. Gorgeous West African pop, with a heavy emphasis on the style's deep Afro-Cuban roots. Recommended, although I agree that this doesn't have the same lush, hypnotic qualities of their other albums.. The emphasis here is more on dance rhythms than on pretty guitar riffs.
Rating:  - One of the best albums ever
I'm not usually given over to tossing superlatives about, but this has got to be one of the best albums ever. I've yet to find a weakness in it. It is an interesting mix and synthesis of styles: Afro-Cuban music, a variety of West African music, and of course jazz.This CD has some of the most inventive and cool guitar work I've ever heard on it. It is sly, playful, soulful and mellow. The saxophone lumbers and punctuates the music nicely. No one is showing off or going off, they are just making music. The vocals are amazing, particulary the ones in Wolof like "Werente Serigne" a song warning against getting involved in religious conflict. Even the driving songs have an unhuried mellow feel to them. It is this unique synthesis of cultures that makes this album transcend most people's concept of African music. Because it draws on so many sources (but in a completely original way) it somehow sounds familiar eventhough you've heard nothing like it. Originally this was just a one disc effort, but this reissue has six more cuts that didn't make the original record and they are just as great. To me this is how music should be, unhurried, talented, fun, yet deep and emotional. If you can capture all of those things, you've truly accomplished something and they surely have. Even more amazing is no overdubbing and no remixing. You are getting the straight cuts. Guitar, sax, bass, drums and vocals have never sounded so fresh.
Rating: - Simply put.
Listen. I have never owned a car that did not have a copy of Bob Dylan's "Blonde on Blonde" in it. I now will keep a permanent copy of "Pirate's Choice" in my console as well. Two perfect albums for any mood, any time, any company.You have to let these songs play and give them time. Pay close attention to the guitar solos that kind of float above the rest of the band.
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