Album: Salif Keita, Talé (Universal/Proper)

An impressive guest list can be an indication of creative bankruptcy (here it's Roots Manuva, Esperanza Spalding, Bobby McFerrin and Manu Dibango), but in this instance the great Malian singer is on fire.

Effortlessly mixing traditional instrumentation with samples, this varied yet cohesive album has an angular funkiness and a soulful pop edge which makes it almost feel like a belated African response to Michael Jackson's Off the Wall.