You can certainly hear echoes of Africa on Karibu, a 2008 release by the fine Beninese-born jazz guitarist Lionel Loueke, and it’s clear that Loueke, who attended Berklee College of Music, has also soaked up the influence of George Benson and Pat Metheny. The album is an international affair of sorts, with the guitarist leading a trio composed of the Italian/Swedish bassist Massimo Biolcati and the Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth. Herbie Hancock appears on “Seven Teens,” lending the track some wonderfully dark harmonies, and another veteran, the saxophonist Wayne Shorter, plays on an unusual interpretation of John Coltrane’s “Naima.” There’s also an inventive cover of Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer’s “Skylark” that is flecked with African touches. (On this track and others, you can hear Loueke’s rhythmic tongue-clicking.) Shorter and Hancock appear on the lengthy “Light Dark” and their playing adds a deeper hue to the guitarist’s music, which usually has a lighter vibe. “Nonvignon” closes Karibu on an upbeat note as it rides a West African groove. Loueke wordlessly vocalizes at various points on the album, but here he sings in Fon, a nice nod to his roots.