Rokia Traoré, fresh off her recent tour of the United States, kicks off a ten-day, eight-city UK tour at Koko in London tonight, followed by shows in Liverpool, Bristol, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Manchester, Brighton, and Coventry. Opening for Traoré along the way is Sweet Billy Pilgrim, the Mercury Prize-nominated British trio likened to Radiohead and Talk Talk.

In the lead-up to the tour's start, Traoré is featured in an extensive profile in The Times of London. "She cut an unconventional figure from the moment she arrived on the international circuit," says Times writer Clive Davis. "Here was an unassuming young woman who strummed an acoustic guitar, much like a West African Tracy Chapman, while surrounded by the accoutrements of ancient Malian music."

While this mix of cultures and sounds added layers to her music, it also added a layer of complexity to those looking to pigeonhole her in a "world music" box.

"By the time she released the acclaimed Tchamantché—easily one of the best albums of 2008," says Davis, "she had incorporated the rough-hewn textures of the rockers’ Gretsch guitar."

In the article, Traoré and David go on to discuss, among other things, her role on the musical landscape; her music education project, Fondation Passerelle, which aims to help prepare young people for careers in music; and a future collaboration with Kronos Quartet, who performed on her 2004 Nonesuch debut, Bowmboï.

You'll find the complete article at entertainment.timesonline.co.uk.

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Traoré is featured in the Evening Standard as well, which describes Tchamantché, her most recent Nonesuch release, as "a smoky, sophisticated, beautiful album that would appeal even if you couldn't place her Mali home on the map." The Evening Standard's David Smyth, approaching the album from a pop bent, says Traoré's "hushed, intricate sound makes for perfect late-night listening" and declares that "Tchamantché, a wonderful work ... deserves to belong in every home." Read more at thisislondon.co.uk.

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Traoré is due to appear on BBC Radio 3's World on 3 program this Friday night at 11:15 PM GMT. Tune in then on the radio or online at bbc.co.uk. She spoke with Mondomix prior to the tour's start for an interview that can be found at mondomix.com.

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Time Out London recommends tonight's show, saying, "Traoré is possessed of a remarkable talent. She blends Afrobeat with intricate folk melodies, and since her live shows are as acclaimed as her studio work, this should be a memorable performance."

The concert is a Guardian Music Pick of the Week. "This is not an artist who has worked in splendid isolation, staying rigidly within her country's musical traditions," explains the Guardian's John Robinson. "Instead, Traoré has a magpie eye for developments in western music, her band in consequence sounding like a kind of African Fleetwood Mac, both intricate and melodically accessible, her impressive singing voice pointing the way."

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For the complete list of dates, venues, and ticket links for Rokia Traoré's UK tour, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour. To pick up a copy of her latest Nonesuch release, Tchamantché, or the previous album, Bowmboí, visit the Nonesuch Store.