Firin' in Fouta

Simon Emmerson produced the album, which was recorded in Podor and Dakar and at Real World Studios in London. Donal Lunny and Simon Jeffes were among the musicians who joined Maal and Daande Lenol, and Positive Black Soul appeared on Swing Yela. The album used ragga, salsa and Breton harp music to build a popular sound. It launched the careers of Positive Black Soul and led to Afro Celt Sound System. It was nominated for a Grammy in the Best World Music Album category, and Maal toured North America to support it.

The Guardian called it Maal's bravest and most startling album to date. The Independent heard his plaintive ululations blended with arrangements that borrow from hip-hop, salsa and ragga, and the Globe and Mail singled out his ululating tenor, in the phrase exquisite. Robert Christgau, in his Consumer Guide, rated it two stars and wrote "so intensely beautiful you can hear through the instruments from the right angle," naming Sama Duniya and Swing Yela.