Africa music reviews

I like the music of Ismael l

I rated this album 5 stars only because of Tajaboun. It is one of the title i can listen over and over without getting tired of it. Try it and tell me what you think about it. Ismael Lo ( Senegal, West Africa) with Lokua Kanza ( Congo, Central Africa), Ali Farka Toure ( the genius from Mali, West Africa), Francis Bebey ( CAmeroun, Central Africa) remind us why we all say that "Jazz","Blues" are part of the Black African Poeple soul.

For all the African people who border on diasporic enlightenment listen up!!This CD jests the african returnee with his "Imported mannerisms".Fela from my perspective a serious "African".Besides the melody and the rhhythms is a message about being honest,fearless and daring to be originally different.This is a must have if you know or want to know the African perspective.Juslisen if you want!!!(do you see the trick)

"JJD/Unnecessary Begging" is another gem in the Fela two-albums-on-one-CD reissue series on MCA. As original LPs, "JJD (Johnny Just Drop)," recorded live at Fela's home/club/compound, Kalakuta Republic, was released in 1977, while "Unnecessary Begging" and its b-side "No Buredi (No Bread)" were issued a year earlier in 1976. These albums were part of what was arguably Fela's greatest period as he released more than a dozen albums between 1975-77! While "Zombie" and "Opposite People" are clearly the essential recordings from this period, this disc, and all of the Fela reissues, are really indispensable.

"We think this is one of the finest storytelling CD's we have heard and we are giving it our "Storyteller.net Director's Award." The CD itself is a story that crafts the tales, music and drumming within into a sound scultpture. It's hard for a teller to find a way to balance story and music, but Baba has done so here. Listening to this CD is a treat where your ears and your heart will thank you. Really, a "must have" for anyone who is fan of storytelling and a nice example of how to do it right if you are thinking about making a CD. If Amazon runs out of stock, just order anyway, it's well worth the wait as more arrive."-Storyteller.net Reviews

Asha's Baba has recorded a beautiful selection of West African story telling and music that will educate, entertain and inspire. He plays the kora, an African harp, which has such a beautiful sound, it could lull a baby to sleep. And his storytelling, with all of the authentic background noises, really makes you feel as if you were sitting there listening to this djeli. The drumming in the music make for a complete African experience that you will want to share. The CD is a great gift idea for any age, but make sure you have a copy for yourself as well.

In contrast to the above review, I feel that this is as good, if not better, than ISO. With Jammu Africa (Peace to Africa--Pulaar), Lo creates another work of subtle beauty. Nafanta, one of my favorites, evokes the warm wind of the coming rains and the endless horizons of inland Senegal. Reminds of the mythical relaxing bush taxi ride. It is, moreover, very accessible to the American audience-- as long as they can abandon the need to understand the words. As with all African music, the music is the thing, not the content-- though for those who do understand french (or Wolof or Pulaar, though if you understand those languages I doubt you need persuasion to buy this particular CD) he does turn a good phrase. For those who have only heard this record on a scratchy west African market tape, buy this CD. The difference is amazing and, well, everything you expected it would be. I think the duet of Femme Sans Haine is wretched, the worst song on the album and rather like hollywood's version of just about any french movie. Marianne Faithfull sounds like a frog in an oven, and the english translation is hokey. Try Raciste, or Samba et Leuk, or the "dance mix" (as we called it) of Dibi Dibi Rek to get a better feel for the thing. Buy it, you'll love it.

One of my favorite CD'S. This was one of the first Cd, of any genre of music, that I didn't tire of listening to it repeatedly. His voice soothes, and his music reaches. I was wonderful surprise to find Ismael Lo and this Cd 'Jammu Africa'.

-healing, soulful sentiments and feelings from the composer and performers of this title, at an historic juncture in South African history. Particularly moving are the near to audible tears of the violinist and saxophonist whose unique solo's express one of the most truthful and reflective tributes to the life and times of Nelson Mandela. So saying it seems to be a warm and emotive musical embrace of South Africa's beautiful people & new leaders, who continue to build a nation whilst transcending everyday adversity after a long uphill struggle for peace and freedom.

On a recent stop at Joburg Intl. Airport I purchased this album. Wanting to listen to it on the long trip back to the US, I went to purchase a CD player. The South African attendant when he heard cuts of the album went into ecstatatic dancing. In the short period I was in this shop five people wanted to know where I purchased it. The scene in the shop was unimaginable. The power of music to bring both black and white together. The uplifting glow has stayed with me since my return home.

Caught the Debo Track last nite on OPB Radio-almost wrecked the car 'cause I got some realy happy feet-this is a super rythmic, accessable, live performace piece that grooves...play it at your next party-its extended- would be fantastic for Jazz Dance performances. Enjoy!

Few albums have dominated my CD player as much as this one

As a huge fan of Abdullah Ibrahim, I was ecstatic to see a new release of previously released material. I truly believe this man to be one of the greatest living musicians on the planet.

This release is quite avant garde in comparison to many of his albums. The second cut, Jabulani (Joy) is one of the most out pieces I have ever heard him create. The CD is worth its five star rating for the third cut, Hajj (The Journey). A rolling 21 minute tour de force which shows the genius of the man in combining jazz and, for lack of a better term, world music. It is simply magnificient and I highly recommend any Ibrahim fan buy this one for that alone. For music lovers wanting to start with something less intense and more representational of most of the mans work, I recommend Mindif, The Mountain, or The African Suite.

This reissue of a magical 1977 session marks a high point in the recording career of Abdullah Ibraham, perhaps the greatest musician to come out of Africa.

It starts with the band, one of the most formidable ever assembled. With the great Johnny Dyani in the bass chair, we can expect something special--and we aren't disappointed. Not only was Dyani a truly original player, he had the uncanny ability to define an entire recording session. Here, his extended techniques (both pizzicato and arco) provide fantastic coloration and rhythmic drive, especially to "Hajj (The Journey)," the defining piece at over 21 minutes. A young Carlos Ward on alto also impresses mightily. Talib Rhynie, a name not known to me, contributes mesmerizing oboe stylings on "Hajj," sounding very oriental. Don Cherry on pocket trumpet fits into these proceedings perfectly naturally, and his solo on "Hajj" is one his finest on record--very sinuous yet entirely focused. Meanwhile, an impossibly deep groove, courtesy of Claude Jones (conga), John Betsch (percussion), and Roy Brooks (drums) pushes the music forward even as it provides a formidable rhythmic ground. Hamiet Bluiett on bari adds weight and depth, standing out esp. on "Jabulani (Joy)" with some of his patented free blowing.

As a great admirer of Duke Ellington, Ibrahim has an uncanny ability to evoke the master but still provide his own unique sound signature transposed into an indiginous African key, here revealed in all its rawness and richness. A powerful presence pervades this music, something akin to the vastness and variety of Africa itself--mesmeric, Chthonic, incantatory--a product of the compositional genius of Ibrahim but also of his ability as leader to assemble and unleash such formidable musical puissance that veritably bursts from this disc.

Caveat emptor: a restless urgency suffeses this music that could be off-putting to the casual listener. Indeed, Journey may be some kind of shibboleth that separates the true hearer from the poseur. Or again, it could be the Rubicon that, once crossed, ushers the weekend jazzer into lusher territory, taking him on his own personal Hajj, which presents him with both more demanding and more rewarding listening experiences. For the seasoned listener, there will be many rewards, not the least of which is to encounter an aggregate of supurb musicians performing at the very top of their game.

Highest recommendation.

While this album has been out a while, it is a rare find in that it is one of the few Ladysmith albums that is well produced.

Credit this group's biggest fan, Paul Simon, with applying just the right deft touch to the magic voices of this legendary troupe.

Several of the self-produced Ladysmith albums I am in possession of lack the clarity and definition that seem necessary to fully appreciate the strength and passion in this group's voices.

And oh, what voices.

Funny liner note fact: Black Mombaza means "black axe" and was a name applied to Ladysmith by competitors in South African singing contests. Apparently Ladysmith never lost.

A fabulous special bonus awaits those to listen through to the 13th cut, "Amazing Grace," with Paul Simon singing lead.

Too cool.

This is the most recent addition to my Ladysmith collection, and I couldn't be happier with it! This is a collection of some of their most beautiful music. It is full of great beats and fun sounds to enjoy, as well as a BEAUTIFUL rendition of Amazing Grace with Paul Simon. There are a few songs with English words, and the rest is in Zulu, but it comes with a CD booklet with all of the words so you can follow along. This is a must-have for Ladysmith collectors and for anyone who likes the song "Amazing Grace"! You won't be disappointed!

I was lucky enough to visit the monks of Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal in the early 1980s. Coming from 18 months living in the devoutly muslim far northern part of the country, it was quite surreal to wander around the grounds of the abbey and listen to the christian liturgical kora music coming from this group of african and european monks. A wonderful compliment to your Baaba Maal and Yousou NDour CDs!

Imagine Gregorian chant sung in French and Senegalese to the rhythms of modern Africa and you have a vague idea of how wonderful this CD is. Sometimes driving, sometimes sweetly lyrical, it's not particularly religious music (unless you want it to be). It is music that will calm you, thrill you, and transport you to another place, whatever place you're in. Thanks to Trance Planet for turning me on to the monks of Keur Moussa.

I first learned of Abdullah Ibrahim when a playwright friend of mine used the title track from this cd to open a scene for one of his plays. The power of the story of the lost love told in Knysna Blue is more complex than human love and personality. The story is set in the context of the loss of access to the physical beauty of Capetown South Africa during Apartheid. This opening jazz- backed poem is powerful because it combines the politics of apartheid with the poignancy of love's labors lost. He tells us that, "Once I heard a Cape Town mystic say, If you feel yor love is sliping away, And you just don't know what more to do, Just wash your tears in Knysna morning dew." Enough said!

This cd is a central feature of the creative work of this South African jazz master. I love his work, and this cd was my initial seduction.

The record is not perfect. The second track, "You Can't Stop me Now", is terribly off-key. Abdullah's singing, reminds us all that he is a jazz piano maestro.

If you buy this album, you will meet a gifted artist who has been in exile too long, and who pours out his artistic soul in the sounds of his beloved country.

This is the first record of Abdulah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) that I bought. With the exception of track #2, all others are simply fantastic. I listen track #1 2 to 3 times in a row and it is a 15min track!