Étienne Mbappé is a musician whose virtuosity and charisma wins over any crowd, whether they’ve heard him before or not. An effortlessly impressive bassist, he has a serious jazz resume, having played alongside Joe Zawinul, Robben Ford, Ray Charles and Bill Evans. He was also a member of 4th Dimension, a group led by legendary English guitarist John McLaughlin. But beyond his lightning bass skills, Mbappé has crafted a career through his voice and songwriting. 

Here, the France-based Cameroonian is joined by a versatile international cast of musicians, The Prophets. They work through a repertoire taken mostly from their 2016 album, How Near How Far, in a set that covers the four corners of the world while remaining rooted in Central Africa. Mbappé sings in his native tongue on pieces like “Irish Koffi,” a blend of African rhythms and jigs from the Emerald Isle, and “Milonga In 7,” a tribute to Argentinian Astor Piazzola.