Vocalist Gretchen Parlato reunites with long time friend Lionel Loueke, both showing much growth since their collaborations almost 15 years prior. The melding of Parlato’s wisp of a voice, at times drifting and other times percussive, works hand in glove with Loueke’s verbal click-clacking tradition of vocal support, along with his West African toned guitar work. Drummer Mark Guiliana is around for a number of pieces, along with bassists Burniss Travis and vocalist Marley Guiliana, but for my money, less is always more, with duets like the swinging “Akwe’”, pretty Okagbe Interlude” or dreamy “Painful Joy” Spartan samples of African delight. Exciting meldings of voices bounce on “If I New” and there’s some earthy chanting on “Me W Se”, while Loueke is folksy on “Miss You” and fun as he snaps on “ Nonvignon”. There’s an irresistible tension that pulls and pushes with voice, guitar and clapping on “Muse” and Loueke takes you through the Sahel via his guitar on “Walking After You”. The freshest sounds you’ll hear this year.