Baaba Maal seems to take longer and longer to record an album ('Television', his previous long player, already dates back to 2009), but whither his slow recording pace also results in better albums, remains to be seen. 'The Traveller' was produced by The Very Best's Johan Hugo, a collaboration Baaba Maal describes as: "Working with John, I feel we have achieved a new mix or sensibilities and sounds that can't be put in a box."; a quote that seems to capture the spirit of the album, as at times 'The Traveller' has that same pop, rock and electronics meets African music vibe we also encountered on The Very Best's 'Makes A King'. That recipe isn't full proof though: in tracks like 'Kalaajo', 'Fulani Rock' and especially opener 'Gilli Men', Maal's beautiful voice resounds as it has always done, but the more poppy 'Lampenda ' was less to yours truly's taste and 'Jam Jam' immediately reminded us of the sound that propelled Angélique Kidjo to stardom in the nineteen nineties. For 'War' and 'Peace', the two last songs on 'The Traveller', Maal invited Lemn Sissay (in 2012 still appointed the official poet for the London Olympics), but even though we certainly don't mind a bit of spoken word, his contributions seem to contrast a bit too strongly with the rest of the track list.