Mali Music (2002)

Last year, Blur's Damon Albarn traveled to the West African country of Mali to record its ghostly, seductive music. His presence on the resulting album is minimal -- on tracks like ''Les Ecrocs'' and ''Sunset Coming On,'' Albarn adds a light vocal patina and a dash of studio trickery to the undulating, circular rhythms. Otherwise, his role is more Alan Lomax than Paul Simon. This rare exercise in self-restraint is a blessing for the listener.