Janka Nabay found fame in Sierra Leone in the mid-1990s, when the country was on the verge of civil war. He had reimagined an obscure village ritual style called bubu into a trancey, urbane dance form powered by his half-sung incantations. War drove Nabay to America, where he worked odd jobs until a producer and African music buff got wind of his work and located him in the Bronx. Branding himself the “Bubu King,” Nabay has transformed the sound again, thanks to the coterie of Brooklyn indie musicians with hip credentials who make up his Bubu Gang. Original and inviting, “En Yay Sah,” on David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, is just recompense for Nabay’s efforts, rich with tricky percussion patterns, swirling synth lines, and standout complementary vocals by Boshra AlSaadi to offset Nabay’s growly declamations. From jaunty opener “Feba” to dense finale “Rotin,” the eight songs have distinct identities but share groovy, spacey production and a mystical-futuristic feel. (Out now)

ESSENTIAL “Eh Mane Ah”