Uprooted from his home studio in Diré in the troubled north of Mali, Anansy Cissé relocated to makeshift premises in Bamako, where he joined forces with Philippe Sanmiguel, who is now his manager and percussionist, . Persuaded to perform his own material rather than recording others, it became clear that Anansy had a powerful and distinctive style. While his songs (all self-penned) are well within the Malian roots ambit of tributes and social advice, the distorted shards and waves of electric guitar are a new departure, seeming indicative of the harsh new reality in his country.The characteristic rolling rhythms of Malian music, underpinned by ngoni, bass and calabash percussion, take on a fresh urgency. Anansy's impassioned vocals and occasional gritty soku fiddle from Zoumana Tereta raise the game still further. Play it loud! worldmusic.net

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