Known throughout the world as the golden voice of Mali, Salif Keita was already a star in world music circles before the release of his debut solo album Soro shot him to international stardom. Keita"s personal and musical history is long and fascinating. Born a visually impaired albino, he is descended from a great warrior king of the Manding Empire and risked familial disgrace by becoming a musician, a job traditionally seen as for the lower classes. After achieving some success with West African bands like Les Ambassadeurs, Keita moved toward a harder-rock sound tempered by his glorious soaring tenor voice. Produced by the legendary Ibrahima Sylla, Soro broke new ground by blending the traditional griot music of Mali with Euro-Pop sounds and top-flight Western production. The track Wamba burns hot with a funky big-band sound that uses a synthesizer to keep the beat and a choir of earthy back-up singers to keep it real. The title track Soro also gets the heavy synth treatment, but a chorus of handclaps and Keita"s vocal make this track the most moving and effective. The album"s explosive energy paired with Keita"s vocal sound and phrasing results in a remarkable album.