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Review:
Fatou Guewel makes street mbalax, or traditional mbalax. The rhythm is provided by a simple xalam, keyboards and bass guitar, over which Fatou's majestic voice rises and dips in emotion and strength.
The lyrical context lends an arabic feel, though in true Senegalese style the music never loses its quentessentially African rootsiness, thanks to an army of percussionists who add a hard, mesmeric edge.
"Fatou" is at last set to catch the imagination of a wider audience, and to finally five Senegal's women their rightful place beside their male counterparts. Earthy, uncompromising, raucous, women's mbalax!
— CalabashMusic.com
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