Leila Gobi is a singer from the provincial town of Menaka near Gao in the east of Mali, a region mostly populated by Songhai and Tuareg, so it should come as no surprise that in her songs Leila constantly alternates between Songhai and Tamasheq. This new album, simply titled '2017', is Gobi's second international release on the American Clermont Music label. The album was recorded and mixed at Hampathe Bah Studio in Bamako, but mastered and mixed in New York and Los Angeles. Even though Leila mostly sings about traditional themes (from wasting time in 'An Nia', over a plea for plentiful rainfall and good harvests in 'Tibo Gadeina', to a festive wedding song with 'Wai Hidjou'), Christopher Nolan's production work and David Harrow's mix lift the album to an entirely different level, and the result in an excellent album marrying Gobi's traditional vocals with modern beats and technology.