Habib Koité successfully made the leap from his native Mali to global audiences, thanks in part to Bonnie Raitt's high-profile support. But the guitarist didn't necessarily need the boost; his relaxed, melodic sound—which relies on his smooth singing and wonderful guitar playing—would enchant (and soothe) any listener who comes across it. Koité rose to prominence in the early '90s and has since toured the world repeatedly with his band Bamada, a sort of supergroup that includes many West African musical luminaries.