When I stepped onto the pebble-paved pathways of Senegal's Gorée Island, I saw bright-pink flowers along vines that wrapped around the tops of purple doorways. Children laughed and played soccer ...

Accompanied by the blind Swiss pianist Moncef Genoud and the Director of the Gorée House of Slaves Museum, Joseph N'Diaye, the Senegalese singer wrote new songs during this initiatory voyage ...