Having excited interest with the sublime ‘Abiani’ on Putumayo’s Women of Africa, her debut Ano Neke (Let’s Create Together) on Contre-Jour lets that wonderful voice shine on a diverse range of tracks.

Dobet comes from a musical family but it was dance and not singing that was her first vocation, one she explored in public with her father’s troupe. A meeting with French guitarist, Colin Laroche de Féline, who was exploring African music led to her travelling to France during some of the worst times in recent Ivorian history.

Perhaps while in the crucible of African music that is Paris, she acquired the skills and diversity to explore much further than her own musical heritage and transform her dance and theatrical skills into what is reputed to be a dynamic stage presence.

Belgian label Contre-Jour picked her up and released her album, which was partly recorded in Abidjan with the help of Marcellin Yacé (who was tragically killed in rioting) and two years later the rest of the album was recorded in Belgium.

The band is a simple but powerful combination of voice, backing vocals, guitar and a range of percussion including sanza, balafon, calebasse and bongos. The production has a mercifully light touch, allowing the powerful acoustic textures to emerge.

There isn’t a duff track on the album but up there with ‘Abiani’ must be ‘Kakou’. On this song, the interplay between Dobet’s alternately powerful and gently husky voice singing in her native Bété tongue, improvised flute, a simple but compelling guitar riff and the backing vocals makes this an instant classic.

What a debut! Dobet looks like becoming one of the big names on the scene.

Tracks: Intro Pygmé / Youné / Kakou (Je Meurs) [en Bété] / Weli / Nsielé (Fatigue) [en Bété] / Warabo / Nan (Maman) [en Malinké] / Sida / Atho / Mindilé (La Vie Est Belle) / Notéfi / Nadodo / Flute (Intro) / Bété Djili (Esprits Bétés) / Abiani / Amonbolo

Link: Contre-Jour