Da Lata Serious

• Words: Jon Freer
• Label: Palm Beats
• XLR8R Rating: /10

Borrowing influences and choice collaborators from around the world-including Malian singer Mamani Keita, Senegalese nightingale Baaba Maal, and British soul singer Jhelisa Anderson-Serious visits more foreign waters than a cruise ship. And though it's a painfully short ride-just over half an hour long-the album contains exotic delicacies worth sampling. The title track finds weaving guitars and purring bass joining vibrant Afro-toned beats. "Distracted Minds" is a lovely, guitar-led vocal duet featuring Nina Miranda and Baaba Maal, whilst "Can It Be" underpins Courtney Denni's wandering vocals with sticky beats and perfect keys. Serious is music seriously unconstrained by geographical boundaries.