Hailing from the western university town of El-Obeid, the luminous vocalist Salma El Assal is a leading force in bringing the sound of aghaani banaat to the world. A repertoire traditionally performed throughout Sudan by women in women’s gatherings, as well as weddings and simaayas (naming parties), aghaani banaat mixes with reggae and soul music in El Assal’s arrangements. As her popularity around the region increased, she moved to the heart of the Middle Eastern music industry in Cairo, where she performs widely and now lives during part of the year. Accompanied by the Sudan Ensemble with Khalid El Mahi on oud, percussionist Hafez Bushra, and multi-instrumentalist Mazin Jamal (aka Tarawa), Salma El Assal holds forth with all the sweetness promised by her name, which translates as Honey Sweet Salma.