Recorded in Ghana in 1981, Mick Fleetwood's solo debut reveals more diversity and depth of feeling than any of Fleetwood Mac's multi-platinum monsters. Six of the tracks are not overt attempts at worldbeat, instead using a variety of West African musicians as sidemen, sidewomen, and, in the case of drum ensemble Ebaali Gbiko, sidechildren. Of these six tracks, several stand out. "Walk a Thin Line," written by
Fleetwood Mac guitarist
Lindsey Buckingham, is an infectious pop song blending Adjo Group's enchanting backing vocals with guest George Harrison's lush 12-string and slide guitars. Another
Fleetwood Mac veteran,
Peter Greenbaum (aka
Peter Green), accompanies a multinational percussion section for a remake of his "Rattlesnake Shake," originally found on Then Play On. Even the
Buddy Holly classic "Not Fade Away" gets supercharged with a percussion ensemble made up of
Fleetwood on drums and
Lord Tiki and
Adjo Group on hand drums and percussion. The West African tracks that make up the remainder of the album are pure pleasure. "Super Brains" is a funk instrumental with a groove
James Brown would be proud of; "The Visitor" features a synthesizer soaring above and growling beneath the Ghana Folkloric Group's vocals and polyrhythmic percussion; and "Amelle" is a lovely finale that again showcases Adjo Group's vocals. An underrated gem,
The Visitor rewards repeated listening and deserves a wider audience.