[.ca] Sepia

From Amazon.com:
Other than Manu Dibango's soul-infused 70s hit, Soul Makossa, and Henri Dikongue's latter-day singer-songwriterly poetics, artists from the West African nation of Cameroon are still relatively unfamiliar to Western audiences. But the area is home to some of the continent¹s most vital and accessible pop styles, and Coco Mbassi¹s throaty, caressing vocals and sophisticated arrangements require even less translation than most. Her soulful, urbane sound is assembled from relatively small forces. A tinge of dreamy, melancholic French cabaret melody weaves through jazzy piano, woodwinds, and acoustic bass, but the multi-layered percussion and women's choirs speak eloquently of centuries past. She sings about the tragedy of drug addiction, her devout Christian beliefs, and appreciating those you love before it's too late. It may seem odd to recommend this album to fans of Norah Jones, but open-minded listeners who are not overly attached to English-language lyrics will find plenty to love here. -- Christina Roden

This is Christian music:
People ought to know, even though this music is from Cameroon, that it is not Afro-pop. The lyrics are all Born-Again Christian ("Be certain that Jesus will lead you to the Way of salvation", etc.) except for "Bayedi" ("Tribute to the Parents"), and very moralizing in tone, if we trust the translations provided in the notes. If you don't mind that, or the fact that the album is marketed in the wrong category, you'll love this voice and the smooth arrangements.

coc mbassi:
she has the voice of a goddess

NPR was right:
This is a very special album. At first, I liked it but it didn't hit the heart until the third time I heard it. Take a chance on this incredible young musical talent.

• Mbaki (Intro)
• Iwiye
• Mundene
• D
• Muka Mwam
• Muto
• Profunda Sensação
• Sawo
• Mbombo
• Bayedi
• Oa Nde
• Bila
• Stabat
• Mbaki (Outro)