Africa music reviews

This cd is wonderful. I like it better than most of Masekela's other cds. I found the tracks to be very smooth, chill, and wonderful to kick back and listen to. I highly recommend this!

A tragedy has occurred. "Hugh Masekela & the Union of South Africa" is out-of-print. It is nauseating for serious music listeners to contemplate that while "Destiny's Child" is making millions of dollars on record sales, this gem has descended below obscurity to become out-of-print. The ultimate dishonor has not tarnished this album's phenomenal music. This classic recording has a beautiful balance of African esthetics meet American soul, jazz, funk, rock and pop. The songs have a vintage sound that could only have been made by a South African playing American music in 1971. Along these lines, the album cover is the perfect visual representation of the music. While having a 1970's sound, "Hugh Masekela & the Union of South Africa" is by no means outdated, nor will it ever. The disc has an enjoyable mix of slow ballads, township infused instrumentals and fast funk. The song writing is superb, the musical improvisation is good and the voices soar. The only drawback is that coming in under forty minutes, it's short. While short on length, it will provide many long years of listening pleasure. Get "Hugh Masekela & the Union of South Africa" if you can!

Hugh Masekela has a strong tone.i have always dug his style.this disc reflects his genius.he has quality and texture in his work.

I just got this cd from my local shop and I'm hooked from first talking "interlude" track to the "wild Goose Chase" at the end. The music is very rooty with Sali Sidibe(one of the best), Oumou Sangare, Yayi Kaunote giving this cd a true traditional feel. Kandia Kouyate's "Donike"(which means achieve something in life) stand out from the rest amongst the divas, her voice is distinctive U could say she is Salif Keita's Mom metarphorically speaking. Salif Keita is also featured here with "Tekere" & he never fails to impress. The main man, Djelimady Tounkara is superb even though here he plays many but very short songs.I'm taken by "Kedo" track very soulful the way he plays with his brother,Solo. Of course Habib Koite is amazing his guitar play is quick with an African rhythm & vocals.Ali Farka Toure, now this is veteran guitarist on "Allah Uya" translated "God is Unique".Toumane Diabate's kora playing on "Sema" is unforgettable. I have become familiar to some instruments like kora, ngoni, balafone & these form a beautiful music when blended well with western instruments.Lobi Traore's two tracks are very good especially"Maby Djoudon Don"(Live)-Listen to the guitar here (reminds me of Santana or Los Lobos).The Rail Band provide a superb track"Silanide" with Djelimady Tounkara very visible on the strings & wonderful vocals. What impreses me most here is(1) the quality of the sound, is the best considering that some tracks were recorded in compounds with tapes.Listen to "Lanaya" U can hear the rumble of the car outside the studio, What ever Banning Eyre used to record must have been very powerful to capture a sound like that.(2)the quality of the music with skillful artists collection.(3)Little translation on the tracks to allow the listener to relate to music.Of course if U want more,Buy the Book "In Griot Time....."(4)Photos of artists (5)Assisted me to know more of other Malian artists (6)& a whole lot more...words can never be enough to praise this best collection. It's like U are in Mali when U listen to this music.I wish I could visit this musically rich country. This cd is worth 5 stars & more believe me take it from a South African.

I'd like to thank Eyre for the work put in this excellent collecion of some of the most beautiful pieces of music from Mali. Demonstrates his superb taste. The inclusion of the Wild Goose Chase at the end is especially touching. My Malian friend, who has just recently arrived in the United States, loves this collection as well. Thank you for letting us enjoy this music.

Thank you Djelimady. And thank you Banning. My kind of guys.

The title track is truly a moving emotional track that can't be played less than a dozen times or more over and over. Other tracks are excellent and will draw you into this artists experience. Really liked Tadiau Bone as well.
This album will move you, bring you to tears or bring bright smiles. Considering that I am a 37 year old white guy from Flushing who grew up on Black Sabbath, AC-DC, and Rush, you can bet that Ismael Lo is for a very wide audience of music lovers. Find this album somewhere and buy it...it's hard to find nowadays.

I first heard this album while driving through an emerald boom-town in western Madagascar. The place was teaming with recently arrived prospectors. Stone-faced refugees of poverty, seeking a meager fortune through backbreaking labor. There were so many people walking along and across the only road that we could only drive at walking speed, the tempo of Jammu Africa. The air was thick with the smell of smoke. I don't know what Ismael Lo is singing- but to me the solemnity of the title track captures every bit of what i felt at that moment.

A beautiful album, Ismael is a great singer. The music is real world music: truly African AND truly global. I guess it's an album which appeals equally to the newcomer to African pop music as well as to the Africa expert.

I was in a cafe in Morocco when I first heard Oumou Sangare, it was Saa Magni, about her friend Amadou who she lost. There have been few other songs I have ever heard that have carried such a raw emotion, I dont know what the words say, but then I thought maybe its better I dont, the power of her voice conveys everything you need to know - she has such an amazing power in her voice, something that jumps out at you right away, and yet she sings about the most mundane of subjects for the most part.
Even if you're not into african music, you will probably appreciate the quality of this singer, she's awesome.

Let me just say right away that you should buy this cd. I listen to musics from all over the world and alot of things that I love are things that I can understand why maybe someone else doesn't like them, but this is not one of those cd's.

As is the case with all non-English musics, just by listening I do not know what the musician is singing about, but Oumou is so utterly powerful and emotional that I can't even imagine what it'd be like to hear her and not be moved... sometimes moved to dancing, sometimes moved to tears. Sometimes both at the same time.

There is one song on this cd that I don't like, but that doesn't matter, this is a five-star cd all the way. Quite honestly, the power of track #2 (Sigi Kuruni) and track #4 (Saa Magni) are by themselves strong enough to earn this cd a five-star rating from me. All the other songs range from very good to great.

I know that Ali Farka Toure is the most widely known Malian musician, but please do not forget the women of Mali. The best songs on this cd have no problem standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best songs that Ali Farka Toure and Afel Bocoum have written.

If you love true African musics (not Western-pop-influenced Afro-Beat trash) you will love this cd. If you've never really heard any true African musics then this cd is as good a place to start as any. Oumou and her two-woman backing chorus are simply phenomenal singers, and the acoustic musicianship is perfect.

I was entranced by the quality of her voice, the melodies and just the overall sheer sonic experience. I bought this CD and it lived up to every expectation. Even my musically less adventorous friends have commented on how good this album is. Highly recommended.

I have no idea how Oumou Sangare passed me by for so long, but as a longtime admirer of Ali Farka Toure's music, and having recently been completely bowled over by Afel Bocoum's "Alkibar", this came as another revelation.

Ko Sira is for the most part modestly presented - subtle and understated, though in no way lacking punch and drive. Delicately picked/strummed/bowed pentatonic melodies, densely textured for a wonderful pulsing/throbbing/cascading sound, and gentle scraped and drummed percussion cast firmly within the Wassoulou idiom. And that voice... such control, such tight phrasing and expression - swoon!

The recording is clean and bright with a natural EQ and excellent dynamics. Not all tracks appeal equally to me... #1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 are particularly stunning (to these ears at least). But that's not to level any particular criticism at the others. The overall experience here is simply sublime. Buy now or regret later!

Oumou is one the most beautiful voices in traditional african music. Her melody is soothing and reminds me of my younger years in my african hometown.

this is an excellent CD and desperately needs to be reissued

I have a lot of Kabyle music so it's difficult for me to say this is my favourite but certainly this is one of my favourites. It was released shortly before Matoub's murder and contains the amazing title track - Lettre Ouverte... This is a long piece of music and goes through stages to the final denouement when Matoub sings his alternative lyrics to the Algerian national anthem and probably thereby sealed his fate. The CD is a wonderful one even without this amazing track. It is full of life and hope and fight. Matoub had a distinctive voice though to hear his voice at its best you probably have to hear earlier music - his voice is different here - perhaps changed by all the shouting at political rallies :-) But this still remains my favourite Matoub album and the one which makes me laugh and cry in equal measure.

Lounes Matoub was killed a few days before this CD was released. The CD, entitled "open letter to ..." is a highly political one and symbolizes Matoub's activism for a democratic Algeria and the Berber struggle. In particular, the song "open letter to ...," sung with the rythm of the Algerian national anthem, is an attack directed at the 37 year old Arabo-Islamic Algerian dictatorship for ruining Algeria politically, economically, socially, and culturally and for being the cause of the current crisis that has plagued the Algerian people.

With this CD, he expressed exactly what most of the artists are afraid to say or sing in Algeria. In all the songs I loved the words, the music and specially his amazing voice. Il est l'un des maitres du CHAABI en Algerie. Il a ete tue avec/par lachete, mais il y a des millions de MATOUBS en Algerie.

If you like intersted earthy music you should buy this, every track will grow into your soul the more you listen to it

Some of the finest music ever recorded. This incredible collaboration with Habib Koite is a treasure. My fellow reviewers have already spelled why quite eloquently. All I can say is, if you like guitar, you will love this album. Note to parents: My 2 year old has actually come to me and sighed, "Mommy, I need Boubacar please."

This is one of the most moving albums of African music -- or of any genre -- I've ever experienced. Kar Kar's voice is so deep and soulful as he pours himself into these songs. They deal with life, love, death, loss and hardship -- and more. Accompanied by Habib Koite and his incredible band Bamada (see his fine recent release BARO), the arrangements are kept relatively simple, but they are so very beautiful and effective. The acoustic guitar work on all of the tracks is exquisite -- Keletigui Diabate's work on balafon and violin is also memorable. All of this is gifted to the listener through a crystal-clear recording.

The package is attractively designed as well -- as I have come to expect from the French company Label Bleu. Even without full translations, the feeling and soul of these songs comes across very clearly.

The music on this album can be universally appreciated -- by afficianados of world music as well as by those who would like to expand their musical horizons.

... and unless you really must consume music in box form, the 2CD "The Best Best [sic] of Fela Kuti" is a more pleasing (not to mention cost effective) compilation, denser with compelling music and less intent on documentary.

If you need more than 2 CDs, Fela has 40 or so original albums in print, 20 of which are quite good. "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense" is a good one that doesn't overlap with "Best Best", giving you 3 great CDs for 1/2 the used price (1/4 the retail price) of this box (which by the way is titled "King of Afrobeat").

That said, the box set is pretty good too. It's just too expensive. If you have no Fela albums and find it for $30-35 somewhere, go ahead. Fela's one of the greats of the rock era, certainly tougher and more innovative than anyone in the "Afro Pop" field.

As with "Best Best", the box set has a few edited tracks -- it doesn't hurt, and if it's an overview you're seeking you probably want the hits to keep comin', whereas Fela favored 25 minute grooves. Neither set contains rare, live or (not counting edits) alternate versions.

If you've already blown it on this box set, "Confusion / Gentleman" is a good one that doesn't overlap the box.

This Boxed CD set contains many of the Great Fela songs, but more songs should have been included. Fela Kuti is rising up in California he is invoked by his Godson Najite Agindotan whose band is called Najite and The Olokun Prophecy, listen to this boxed CD set, then run to listen to Najite's band if you want to feel the spirit of Fela. His Godson's email is najite4afrobeat@aol.com. This boxed set is a must have

What an awesome artist... this package is a great way fro the first-time listener to approach Fela's music ...seasoned fans will, of course, prefer getting the individual albums.

While I love Kandia's voice and most of the music on this album, the tracks with the orchestral arrangements (and, for that matter some of the tracks rife with horns) ruin it for me.

I LOVE this! The entire Cd speaks to the soul from her first blast to the last tender hum. This Lady manages to add strings and horns to traditional Malian instruments and yet avoids (thank GOD!) the horrendous 'pop-ish-ness' we've been asked to stomach from Keita, Maal and the like. This is without a doubt the most played Cd in my collection!

Of special note is tracks 2 & 5. Track 2 is perhaps the most powerful song ever written - the lushness of the instrumentation and this fine Lady's voice, which soars beyond anything we have currently on the market, mark this song as a classic!

As for Track 5, with Bambino - the blending of their voices and the angelic girls in the back - what can one say about it. It has a catchy beat in that you find yourself swaying and bopping before you realize what you're doing. Ah, yes.....

...

Kita Kan in Kandia Kouyate's native Maninka language means "the voice of Kita", a historic town in western Mali. Kandia Kouyate is one of the foremost voices of Mali. Basing herself on the tradition of the "griot", she has created her own style, adding jazz and modern dance elements to the classical rhythms and harmonies of traditional Malian melodies.

This is a wonderful collection of songs, all written and composed by Kandia Kouyate. Her rich contralto voice exudes strength and warmth and is a sheer pleasure to listen to. "Kita Kan" represents a good cross selection of her repertoire and talent. Her ballades in the griot style are beautifully accompanied by kora (the West African harp), ngoni, (the ancient African lute), and balaphon (a local xylophone type instrument). The accompanists are also well-known artists in their own right in Mali. For the listeners who are not so familiar with West African music, they will find this collection an excellent introduction - several songs have melodies and rhythms easily accessible to the `western' ear. Kandia Kouyate is accompanied by a string orchestra for these - a very successful, if unusual, arrangement.

Typically for "griot" singers, Kandia Kouyate addresses day-to-day social issues in many of her songs. One does not need to understand the lyrics to experience the power of the message that she conveys. For interested readers, the comprehensive CD notes summarize the songs. They also provide a detailed biography of the artist and describe her rise to fame beyond the borders of Mali.

A treasure and an essential addition for your CD collection.

As the other reviewers note, Kutche is a nice introduction to Khaled and Rai. However, I'm more fond of Khaled's more recent productions. Kutche has a distinct '80s feel -- very synthesized and bouncy -- that grates on me after a few tracks.

If you stumble across a used copy somewhere, fine, buy it. But don't pay full price for a new copy of Kutche. Spend the money on one of his newer albums instead.

A brilliant collaboration between Khaled and Safy Boutella, this is one of the most thrilling CDs I own. Boutella, known primarily for his film scores, co-wrote 3 of the tracks, and helped adapt 3 others, which are of traditional origin. He plays bass and synthesizer, and co-produced with the great Martin Meissonnier.
I concur with Meissonnier, who once said in an interview: "We're living through a golden age of ethnic music", and Khaled and Boutella are a major ingredient in the birth and continuance of the exciting and and creative music that is now available in the world music market.

Khaled, known as the King of Rai (and after listening to this CD, you'll understand why), was one of the early pioneers of the genre, and comes into full bloom with this CD, which was recorded between 11/87 and 01/88, when Khaled was still in his "Cheb" days.

"Kutche", with it's contrasting rhythms, is an extraordinary track, and "Minuit", a song Khaled penned alone, has become my favorite of the lot. It's a spectacular tango beat blended with an Arabic melody.
"Minuit", "Baroud", and "Kutche" are also available on stupendous 4 disc set, "Absolute Rai", which contains 5 hours of top-notch music and is highly recommended for anyone who appreciates this type of music.
Other than recording info, there are no liner notes included; the sound is great, and total time is 42'41.

The first time I heard this CD or when it first came out, I was still back home in the old coutry Tunisia. This album was a hit all over.

Recommend to any RAI music lover. You won't regret buying the album at all.

Kais Khelif