National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Bowmboï is the third album by Rokia Traore, the beautiful Malian soprano with the delicate features and soft voice. A truly accomplished work on a personal level and an important one for Malian music in general. Her aim to make 'contemporary music using traditional instruments' is here masterfully realised. Deeply rooted in her African tradition, Traoré's music is the artistic expression of the singer's multiculturalism. Incorporating polyphonic singing ('Manian'), electronic atmospheres and the contemporary strings of the Kronos Quartet, a particularly successful encounter in the title track, with the genuinely acoustic Malian sound of the n'goni, balafon and percussion, Rokia Traoré's talents as composer and arranger are here fully revealed. As are those of a poetic, sensitive and enlightened lyricist. Her songs pay homage to her country, speak of her vision for the future and invite those who listen to share in her experiences as a young and profoundly modern African artist. Far from the clichés of 'African music' too often found today, this is an album of rare beauty and originality.

— CalabashMusic.com