The line-up of new African female vocalists has added yet another impressive debutante, a young Senegalese jewel named Fatou Guewel. Her debut album Fatou (Stern's - www.sternsmusic.com) is making waves all over Africa. Listening to the album, it is easy to understand why. Unlike her famous countrymen Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour, who have westernized their music, Fatou sticks to the classic hard-edged mbalax which is favored on the streets of Senegal. Throughout the album, Fatou is revealed as a gifted artist for whom singing comes easily. This and her driving rhythm make her one of the best female vocalists to come from Africa in a long time.

She deliberately loads her music with extra percussion whose collective effect is riveting. Leading the chorus with her razor sharp Wolof voice, she captures the raw street emotion as never before. In tracks like "Ya Mako Diaral" the music builds gradually until it reaches a sparkling crescendo that leaves you absolutely breathless.

No doubt, the formidable talent shown by Fatou will not go unnoticed in the male dominated world of African music. Now, more than ever, the Baaba Maals of this world will have to throw nervous glances over their shoulders. And, you know something, we will all be the richer for it.

The Troubadour and Soukous Man