"After ten years of securing her fame in Europe and North America, singer Miriam Makeba returned home to Africa in 1968; sadly, though, Makeba couldn't return to her native South Africa because of her outspoken views on apartheid. So instead she temporarily lived in Guinea and recorded and performed with some of the top local musicians. This excellent 1968 disc reveals the riches with 16 varied tracks, including four live cuts which end the program. While ranging from traditional Guinean cuts ("Milele") to bossa nova ("Le Enfant et la Gazelle"), Makeba further shows her flexibility by incorporating some rock and soul into the Afro-pop mix ("Lovely Lies") and even by offering a fine bit of torch singing à la Shirley Bassey ("Jeux Interdits [Forbidden Games]"). (Stephen Cook, Allmusic)
"Sékou Diabaté is most famous as the guitarist for the legendary Guinean band Bembeya Jazz. This solo outing, back by the five-piece Bembeya rhythm section, is essentially the same sound that made them one of Africa's greatest outfits, but without the horns, leaving guitar very much front and center. Every note arrives with crystal clarity, and even the fastest runs have a gorgeous precision. He's equally at home on acoustic, as the lovely "Bala Koura" shows with its lilting, relaxed runs. Marvelous as he is on guitar, he's not a singer, as "Ikanam Minala," "Dianamo," and "Diamond Fingers" all show clearly. Be grateful that "Safiata Conde" steps in to help on the first two of those cuts. But the reason for anyone to listen is his playing, and that never disappoints, and nor do the other Bembeya people, who provide the laid-back but crucial support that gives him the freedom to roam the fretboard while keeping the music perfectly Guinean. It's a minor masterpiece of form and technique." (Allmusic)
"Guinees stergitarist met zijn vrouw, gevierd sessiezangeres (ex-Kante, Keita). Met een forse band maakt met ontspannen mandingo-swing met virtuoze gitaaruitstapjes. Hilarisch is hun interpretatie van Peter Green's 'Albatross'." (DvdB, Oor)
