AMG Review of Worotan

Tim Sheridan
All Music Guide

Sangare, a native of Mali, is a vocal master and talented songwriter. Her lyrics, printed in English for the liner notes, explore topics such as the subjugation of women and the flight of men to the cities from rural life. But what is truly amazing is her agile voice, slithering over complex polyrhythms and often reaching a kind of ecstatic bliss through a call and response choral structure. Also noteworthy is the contribution of the legendary Pee Wee Ellis, who leads a horn section on several tracks.