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Espoir is one of the great surprises of 2009.
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Espoir is an unusual release, part interesting artifact of aesthetic oddities, part field recording of a talented man with a smooth voice who knows his way around a guitar. Not the ideal introduction to Burkina Faso, but worthwhile nonetheless.
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If soukous and Congolese rumba sound exotic, the reality is as bland as yam quiche.
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If we’re playing the game of comparing him to well-known people then how about a mellower and less expensively equipped Kanda Bongo Man minus the trademark hat? See, I’m stretching too.
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Espoir is a strong start to a promising international musician’s career.
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Under The RadarThe second disc, and the real treat here, is a barebones live recording of Zopoula playing in his backyard. [Spring 2009, p.77]