Emmanuel Jal’s life story would make for a great biopic. The twentysomething, even he’s not sure of his exact birthdate, was orphaned at seven, an estimate, and became a child soldier in southern Sudan with a Kalashnikov as a daily companion. By comparison, 8 Mile seems like a Wonder Years spin-off.

As it is, Jal’s autobiography has made for an acclaimed documentary. The same cannot quite be declared about the album, Jal’s third of his career but first English-language release. Without wishing to sound patronising, Jal’s vocals sounds clunky, rapping, as he is, in what it must be remembered isn’t even his mother tongue.

Having said all that, the promise is there with the album’s apolocalyptic feel more brooding than Tricky and Nick Cave combined. Yet despite being based in London now, Jal would be ill-advised to sever all roots with his homeland. He claims to be “No Bling” and ‘50 Cent’ is an anti-Fiddy diatribe, but this CD, at times, feels less than a retelling of his hardships for a Western audience than an attempt to enjoy the fame of the gangster rappers he claims to have an issue with.

(3/5)