Angelique Kidjo: Djin Djin

I’m not sure whether it’s a sign of the strange world we live in, or the strange world that I live in, that I can walk in and out of a record store completely bored but I consistently find music that fascinates me at a coffee store. Criticize what you will about Starbucks, but their music selection is consistently great.

Point of order, Angelique Kidjo: Djin Djin, a collection of duets with the famed, unrivaled Afro-Pop queen herself and some of the biggest names in American pop. This includes the man who, for my money, is the unrivaled balladeer of Rock: Peter Gabriel. We all have our favourites, but who could argue with the magic that is The Chamber of 32 Doors?

This album continues the bold tradition of Angelique’s amazingly growling, passionate singing style and the driving beat that straddles the line between the hyper-modern electronic sound and instruments that trace their roots back to the furthest reaches of human existence. Its neigh-on impossible to pick out favourites, better that you should give it a listen, yourself.