(For The Record, June 9, 2009)
Album review
A truly committed campaigner, Sister Fa aka Fatou Mandiang Diatta has something of an axe to grind.
As Senegal's lauded 'Queen of Hip Hop', she is at the forefront of a serious campaign against FGM, or female genetic mutilation. Her interest in social themes and issues doesn't stop there - Sister Fa has something to say too on arranged marriage, AIDS, the plight of Senegalese soldiers... the list goes on.
But while this may sound a little worthy, please try and put it out of your head and just listen to this, her second solo record.
Opener 'Sister Fa La' is just the sort of cool self-referential record that kills on the rap and hip hop scene, underpinned by a crisp beat which smacks of modernity and the global influence of black music.
Throughout 'Sarabah – Tales From The Flipside Of Paradise', from the multilingual vocals - in Wolof, Manding, Jola and French - to the unique rhythmic make-up of the songs - mixing tribal beats with modern hip hop sounds - Sister Fa truly sounds like nothing else.
The record's high point, title track 'Sarabah' makes a virtue of the multi-lingual vocal and yet manages for all the world to groove like english language hip hop.
From the standpoint of social awareness, Sister Fa easily surpasses many posturing stars, but more than that - her incredible talent shines unwaveringly through her cool music and personal lyrics.
For hailing from the flipside of paradise, Sister Fa never fails to make a virtue of all of her gifts - making for one hell of an affecting record.
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