One of the most underrated composers and guitarists, Leni Stern, releases yet another strong album that melds American jazz with West African thoughts. Along with guitar, Stern sings a bit and plays the West African stringed instrument n’goni, but not as a gimmick but more like a central piece of furniture. The quartet is filled out by Mamadou Ba on bass, Alioune Faye with voice and percussion and Leo Genovese on piano and synthesizer, with hubby Mike Stern sitting in on the evocative mood of the Sahel during “Habib” . Lovely exoticism is produced by guitar, n’goni and piano during “Zamba 264”, with Ba’s bass dancing a rich theme during “Lambar”. Soulful strings and sounds of faraway deserts are crated on “Serrer” and melding of chants, percussion and guitar take up “Miu”. Athe kalimba serves as an intro to “Chartwell” and lovely vocal tones meld with piano on “Amadeus”. I caught Ms. Stern in town last year with her hubby and she came close to stealing the show-don’t miss out if she’s around your neighborhood.