Oumou Sangare, the Malian singer/songwriter known as the "Songbird," releases Seya ("Joy"), her first international release in six years, in North America today, following a European release on World Circuit earlier this year. On Seya, Sangare is backed by a large, all-star ensemble of Malian and international musicians, including longtime accompanist "Benogo" Brehima Diakité (kamele ngoni); two James Brown veterans, saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trombonist Fred Wesley; and Fela Kuti’s legendary musical director, Nigerian drummer Tony Allen.

Toronto's Globe and Mail gives the new album three stars. Reviewer Li Robbins says the album's title, meaning "joy," is certainly reflected in the music of its songs: "Musically its unquestionably an expression of joy."

This is true even as the lyrics tell a more layered story, reflecting Sangare's longstanding outspokenness on the social and political challenges facing women in her country. Writes Robbins:

Whether or not you understand the message, it’s modern Malian music at its finest: sophisticated, subtle, beautifully produced ... Its cross-rhythms and flowing, hypnotic instrumental lines underpin all she does, and all she does on Seya, whether crooning, chanting, chuckling or singing with majestic power, is excellent.

Read the complete review at theglobeandmail.com.

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Upon the album's release in the UK and Europe, the Telegraph made it its CD of the Week, and the Observer gave the album a perfect five stars, exclaiming, "If you already have albums by Ali Farka Touré, Salif Keita, Toumani Diabaté, Rokia Traoré, Amadou & Mariam and Bassekou Kouyate, make room on your shelves for one more, this spectacular collection of songs from Oumou Sangare."

The Independent gave the album four stars. "[I]f you've got it, flaunt it," said reviewer Andy Gill. "And Oumou's certainly got it on Seya, her commanding voice supported by an undulating, hypnotic throng of cyclical guitar and ngoni figures, warmed at times by solitary sax or flute or more brass, and stippled with a bricolage of beats picked out on djembe, calabash, congas and a further host of percussion, with the solid, marimba-like clunk of balafon providing the indomitable heartbeat. It's a motherly, enveloping sound, one that simultaneously soothes and inspires."

Gill's colleague, Howard Male, at The Independent on Sunday, exclaimed that Seya "is as detailed and sophisticated as it is funky, as progressive as it is traditional, and as sexy as it is graceful and austere."

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Oumou's North American tour begins July 2 in Chicago, where she'll perform a free concert in Millennium Park as part of the Music Without Borders series there. For tour information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour. You can watch a video of Oumou performing the new album's title track at nonesuch.com/media.