Né la thiass

This strong debut from Senegalese singer Cheikh Lo is a healthy hybrid of African and Cuban rhythms. Lo's high, reedy vocals are immediately evocative of countryman Youssou N'Dour -- no surprise since N'Dour helms as producer. But the acoustic aesthetic here is warmer than N'Dour's usual high-gloss pop. If you're looking for an album to turn winter to spring, darkness to light, this disc is a safe bet.