It's all a bit too neat and glossy. All the rough edges that could have given Dobet Gnahore's album some life and real human quality have been carefully rubbed away, leaving instead the kind of studio sheen that used to be associated with California rather than the Ivory Coast. Yes, she can sing well enough, and emote in the right places, but it all seems too predetermined and bloodless, rather than inspired. Everything is tasteful and precise, down to the spare backing and the exquisitely arranged harmonies, but there's no sense of any real emotion involved. Even Gnahore herself sounds like an actor just going through the motions. There's potential in her, but it'll need something much rawer than this to bring it out. ~ Chris Nickson minimize