Lionel Loueke's sophomore release for Blue Note, Mwaliko, follows up 2007's acclaimed Karibu with a series of searching, innovative, intimate duets with Angelique Kidjo, Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona and Marcus Gilmore. The three tracks on Mwaliko featuring his longtime trio with Massimo Biolcati on bass and Ferenc Nemeth on drums teem with "capricious harmonic movement and serpentine grooves," as The New York Times critic Nate Chinen described a recent trio performance, adding that theirs is "music of engrossing intimacy and ambition." Loueke's "Griot" highlights his richly harmonized vocals and slides easily between the rhythmic vernaculars of Afropop, Brazilian jazz and driving swing.

Mwaliko (pronounced mwah-LEE-koh) is Swahili for "invitation," and as Loueke explains, "you can see the title two ways. One is I'm inviting my friends and fellow musicians to make these duo recordings, and the other is an invitation to all listeners to enjoy the music."

Having appeared on vocalist Angelique Kidjo's 2007 album Djin Djin, Lionel wanted to reciprocate and feature his good friend and fellow Benin native on a pair of African songs dear to both their hearts. "We both grew up listening to 'Amio,' it's a standard in Africa, from Cameroon. And 'Vi Ma Yon' is a traditional song from Benin, nobody knows who wrote it. It's a song about how important it is to have kids, that basically if you have a lot of kids, you're rich — which I don't agree with today!"

Much like Loueke, Richard Bona came from Africa (Cameroon) to take the jazz world by storm, turning heads with his virtuosity on electric bass and vocals. Bona's lilting, angelic voice is immediately identifiable on "Wishes," which Loueke wrote with his friend very much in mind.

Another fine bassist/vocalist, Esperanza Spalding, joins Loueke for two tracks as well. Spalding puts her stamp on Loueke's "Twins," which appeared in a more orchestrated form on the album Gilfema + 2. Reworking the rich clarinet voicings of the earlier version, Loueke and Spalding create a vocal tapestry that's sparse and yet somehow overflowing, full of color and spirit. "Flying," too, is a new song that I definitely wanted to do with her, with those high notes and that groove."

With young drumming sensation Marcus Gilmore, Loueke turns his attention to Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti." Gilmore, the grandson of the legendary Roy Haynes, is a member of bands led by Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Vijay Iyer, and is steadily making his way as a leader.

Loueke also makes a point of including original pieces by his band mates. Biolcati's upbeat "Shazoo" builds on the promising compositional voice showcased by the bassist on his 2008 leader debut Persona (featuring Loueke, naturally). Nemeth's "L.L.," written specifically for Loueke, first appeared on the drummer's 2007 leader debut Night Songs (also featuring Loueke). Here, Loueke recasts the introduction with a subtle octave-bass effect enabled — a sound heard in many spots on Mwaliko.

Tour Dates:
Feb. 18-21 – Jazz Showcase – Chicago, IL
Feb. 25-28 – Jazz Standard – New York, NY
Mar. 8 – Blues Alley – Washington DC
Mar. 11 – Regattabar – Boston, MA
Mar. 13 – Kennesaw State University – Atlanta, GA
Mar. 25 – Kohler Arts Center – Sheboygan, WI
Mar. 26 – Manchester Craftsman Guild – Pittsburgh, PA
Apr. 6 – Capilano College – Vancouver, BC
Apr. 7-10 – Mondavi Center @ UC Davis – Davis, CA