From the time he toured Senegal with Jimmy Cliff in the late '70s, Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin wanted to return and record with local musicians. He finally got his wish in 1997, and the fruit produced by the journey was this collaboration with Senegalese star Baaba Maal. They're joined here by Maal's band, Daande Lenol, which translates as "nomad soul"--a fitting description for an album that is a restless blend of jazz sophistication and African syncopation. Restless is a dirty word when applied to roving husbands or spooked horses, but Ranglin's insatiable desire to explore is a treasure to behold. --Keith Moerer