Pape Diouf Essentials

In the musical universe of Senegalese singer Pape Diouf, percussion falls fast from the sky like rain and gorgeous melodies weave between the drops. Diouf debuted as a solo singer in 1998 with his band Génération Consciénte keeping the music thumping and shimmying relentlessly. Together, they helped reinvigorate Senegal's Mbalax scene, which ties together jazz, rock and traditional Senegalese drumming. Diouf's calling card was always his somersaulting vocals, but his hits as gathered here are illuminated by shimmering guitar lines, punchy horns and, of course, those rapid-fire hand drums.