The Blur frontman is the guest producer of the seductive opening track and single Sabali.

But this is no overnight success story for the couple from Mali who first met at The Institute for Young Blind in their country's capital.

Guitarist Amadou earned his spurs in the '70s while playing for acclaimed West African group Les Ambassadeurs du Hotel. After they married, the couple produced several albums as they evolved their music mixing traditional Mali sounds with rock guitars to form an intoxicating Afro-blues pop.

They caught the attention of one of world music's first big stars Manu Chao who co-produced Dimanche a Bamako which saw them pick up several awards.

It's success also led to them performing at the opening of the World Cup in Germany in 2006 and establishing them on the big Western festival circuit.

But this could and should be the album that establishes them as star names to a wider audience.

Their music is an exotic mix of the music of their homeland and R&B but which whether by chance or design contains thrilling pop hooks that should make a crossover an easy step.

It also contains guitars that ring and swing with as much as poise and power as any western rock god be it Keith Richards or Johnny Marr. For proof listen to the rollicking Masiteladi.

9 out of 10

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Elsewhere online:
MySpace.com - Amadou & Mariam.
BBC Music review.
Telegraph.co.uk review and video.
Listen to music by Amadou & Mariam at Last.fm.

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