Whenever our favourite artists drop a new album, the anticipation is huge. Will it live up to the last album, what different sound has inspired them this time, is it going to be a hit or not, and so much more?

The pressure on artists from their demanding fans is humongous. On one side they want to please their fans and on the other hand their creative mind just wants to dump what’s in their head so that they can be creative again.

We the fans all have our favourite songs that we want to hear every time we see the artists live which can be tough for the artists but still they have a need to please their audience.

Some artists will only ever produce one album that is outstanding and fans will always remember that album or even a particular song as their best.

Others seem to be capable of belting out one successful album after another.

Take Adele for example, the Beatles, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Queen and so many others.

There is such calculation for the musical arrangement, lyrics and sometimes spontaneity that they end up producing some of the best ever recorded music in history. 

For me, Baaba Maal has got to be up there with the very best in the world. It was while going through Spotify recently I noticed that he had released a couple of songs ahead of his new album due out end of March.

My heart jumped for joy as I listened to Agreement, one of the songs, as it had so much of the quality Baaba Maal’s fans associate with his music; and that was then followed by Yerimayo’ celebration, a trance dance afro beat which proved how versatile this musician is.

I am already hooked and can’t wait to hear the rest of the album when it finally comes out.

I first saw Baaba Maal at UEA in 2002 and I fell in love with his music straight away.

His staging and line up was a performance dream to witness, with dancers, singers and traditional African instruments alongside Western instruments.

It was unique to hear such a mixed line up and then, with Baaba Maal’s distinctive voice added, the result was music heaven.

For a couple of years running we were treated to further performances at the UEA.

I was surprised but also thrilled to have such amazing quality of talent come to Norwich every year.

It turned out that Norwich was his stop-over on his way to Europe via Amsterdam, and I remember thinking how lucky we were to have him play for us here.

It wasn’t until 2016, 14 years later, that he toured his then album Traveller. This time he performed at the Waterfront with a smaller line up but equally entrancing.

So as we await his new album ‘Being’ which is due out at the end of March I am looking forward to hearing what this genius artist has done this time and I really hope that one of the fine venues in our city can entice him back again to wow his music fans when he tours it.

With his appearance in both Wakanda and Wakanda Forever films, his appeal is reaching a new and younger audience, such is the power of music in films. 

Whilst cooking the other night my eldest came in singing a song from the film and I knew straight away that it was a Baaba Maal’s song. “Oi" I said, “Don’t make fun of Baaba Maal”.

“No Mummy, I quite like his music,” came the reply. “Wow” I thought, “that’s interesting”. 

So now she introduces me to her drum and bass and I introduce her to more of Baaba Maal’s music catalogue.

All this new excitement has also inspired me to revisit the recording studio as it’s now been a good eight years since my last album.

My head is bursting with sound and excitement, so watch this space those who follow my sunshine music.