Come Back To Me
Verve, 2023
8/10
After a 3 decade hiatus from music, the West African star Peter One returns with country-folk and Afro-pop ideas via this first record on a major label, and it welcomes 10 well thought out songs.
“Cherie Vico” opens the listen with warm, soulful singing alongside cozy plucking and rhythmic percussion in the careful climate, and “Kavudu” follows with a sublime dreaminess that welcomes expressive singing for a poetic landscape.
“Sweet Rainbow” occupies the middle spot, where a soothing quality is complemented by the calm melody, while “On My Own” showcases One’s powerful and absorbing voice for the emotive album highlight.
At the end, “Bonne Année” spotlights the meticulous acoustic guitar and light drumming with a cultured approach, and “Birds Go Die Out Of Sight (Don’t Go Home)” exits with timeless folk qualities that make great use of the subdued, playful instrumentation.
One is retiring from his nursing career, and eager to get back into making music, and though his 1985 effort Our Garden Needs Its Flowers might be what he’s best known for, I would be willing to bet his current work will be trumping that soon thanks to his worldly vision of folk music.
Travels well with: Sunny War- Anarchist Gospel; Melissa Carper- Ramblin’ Soul