Oumou Sangare

Sangare is that rare traditional musician capable of transforming into a modern artist without sacrificing an ounce of authenticity. Seya is the Malian singer's first album of new songs in more than five years, and it features "Iyo Djeli": a praise song to Djekani Djeli, "an old and wise griot woman of the 1960s."

Critic Robert Christgau is impressed by the new album from the Malian vocalist, whom he calls Africa's most important female singer. Seya is her first release after a 12-year absence from recording, spent raising a son and running a hotel, farm and other businesses.

Sangare is that rare traditional musician capable of transforming into a modern artist without sacrificing an ounce of authenticity. Seya is the Malian singer's first album of new songs in more than five years, and it features "Iyo Djeli": a praise song to Djekani Djeli, "an old and wise griot woman of the 1960s."

Farai Chideya talks with music writers Tom Terrell and Christina Roden about "Legends of African Music" -- a collection of some of the continent's top artists featured in this month's Global Rhythm magazine.