Africa music reviews

I strongly recommend this CD for anyone looking to find the roots of Rai and other forms of north African music. This CD is composed of various recordings made between 1925-1948, a period of time when northern African music largely consisted of Arab and Berber folk music with little foreign influences. The vast majority comes from Morocco, but there are selections from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, the Sudan and Mali as well. I found one of the more interesting tracks was Saadaoudi, a recording of the Libyan zoukra (a reed-flute). Another track, Leila Kanat, embraces the ancient poetic traditions of the Sahara. Some of the Tunisian tracks, such as Hayarti Noumi Ouigardi and Aroubi Rasd Eddil (pts 1 and 2), impressed me. Tunisia has very strong musical traditions, easily rivalling those of Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, yet for the most part, Tunisian malouf (and other generes) has yet to become as widely heard in the west as, say Algerian rai or Egyptian al-jeel. These Tunisian tracks were extremely welcome. The Algerian songs too, were quite interesting. As I said, these songs are the very roots of rai music. If you like Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheikha Remitti and so forth, you will love the tracks from Algeria. And finally, rounding out the CD are some other odds and ends. The most interesting being a Tuareg war chant from Timbuktu. I think that may have been the most unusual track on the entire CD. Overall, though, is an excellent selection of north African folk music. Check it out, especially if you like Rai.

For anyone interested in North African music - this is a must. The 24 songs here are ALL interesting, and some are truly magnificent.
The song are mostly from Morrocco, Algeria and Tunisia, but there are also songs from Libya, Sudan and Mali.
My favorite is number 15 - by a great singer called Lili Abassi, accompanied by a violin. Other attractions are Kelbi Belha - by Kouideche from Tunisia, the instrumental by Orchestra Mimoun, The Sudanese song. The Mali war song (track 22) should strike all those familiar with American country blues as a clear cousin of Bukka White and others.
Overall this is a great musical sampler of an ancient musical tradition.

If you can only here what he says, Remmy Ongala is a comedian thro' his music. In this Album he can't STOP wondering who cares when a fish (samaki) cries? Nobody cares because the poor fish, his tears are in the water, and who would see how much tears coming out of his face??

I waited a long time to find this cd and the wait was worth it. Remmy is a transplanted Zairian who enriched Tanzania with magnificent soukouss or rumba style music. His own style, with the horns and other percussion instruments is unique. he switches from Swahili to Lingala and English like nothing or like no other African singer I ever heard. Whoever is in to this music, African or westerner, this cd is indispensable.

Yes. In English, he's the best. He is the original sufferer, and he has so much to offer forever.

La premi�re fois que j'ai entendu F. Kuti c'�tait en 1974, j'avais alors 21 ans. C'�tait dans une discoth�que du Canada, dans la ville de Shawinigan situ� � environ 100 milles au nord de Montr�al. La discoth�que s'appelait le TopLight. � la premi�re �coute, je fut renvers� par le g�nie du ryhtme de Fela. Il y a 2 pi�ces sur cet album, une de chaque c�t� qui dure environ 23 minutes chacune. Vous imagin� 23 minutes sur la piste de danse avec ce rythme Soul tout � fait infernal. D�s la premi�re note de musique, tout le monde se levait d'un seul coup pour danser.

Le disjockey �tait le seul � poss�der ce disque dans toute la ville. Je lui ai demand� de me montrer la pochette et c'est alors que j'ai centrepris ma recherche.Un an plus tard je trouvais la pi�ce rare et apr�s 25 ans, il fait encore partie de ma discoth�que personnelle.

Finalement je suis tr�s heureux aujourd'hui de retrouver � nouveau ce disque en version CD. WoW!

It sounds like an exaggeration to say that this is the most beautiful song I have ever heard, but it truly is. I have played this song to so many people and *all* have said, "What is the name of that?"...the most inspirational album I have ever heard in my life.

These songs are proctecting like a shield energising like a thunder and just quite incredible.
Tout bas de mes reves !?!

This is music inspired by the mystic tradition within Islam, the Sufi tradition, reverent music, infused with joy and love. I listen mostly to hear the depth of this man's heart. One of my favorites!

I am a fan of South African music so I expected the music to be great - but I was still struck by the emotional power that radiated from this music ! I believe this is one of the best South African CD's I've heard so far. Most of the singers have a rough voice and the style is almost unaffected by modern influences. South African Zulu musical tradition as it comes out of these recordings is a deep human experience. The music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo is much better understood after listening to the music here. I recommand it to anyone looking for the spirit in music and life.

I happened upon this at a local library. I grew up on classic rock, and have gone through heavy metal, hip hop, classical, and blues music phases. I was in the mood for something different, and this CD grew on me more and more with each listen. This is party music, pure and simple. Not a lick of English, but it is a fun, up-tempo celebration of life that transcends language. I love to listen to it in the car, while exercising, whatever. If you're a fan of Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, this type of music could have been a major influence. Make sure you pump up the bass on your stereo to get the full effect!

This songwriter's showcase defies conformity. Ms. Jackson delivers each song with an underlying raw sincerity and polished arrangements (by Peter Dobson). "World Rock Fusion" as Tina Jackson calls it is an original folk music by this fans definition born from true art straight out of the heart of the woman who wrote it. Cuts like Change Some Things and Canary Yellow Carrera actually paints portraits directly from her life and joys and muses. She takes you into the tragedy and disappointment of the death of a good friend in Nine One One, but gives you an escape route lined with hard hitting rockin' riffs that leave you chanting mer.....cy...... with the back ground singers. There's bright moments and dark moments, laughter and tears. This medium of Rock, Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Soul, Bluegrass, and yes, even hints of African and South American rhythms is a glowing asset to any true music lovers collection.

I loved this CD! Wow, who is this newcomer?. Are there more where she came from? The music had passion and soul in the vocals. The instrumentation was provocative and raw. You can really FEEL Ms. Jackson's words. 'Dark Water' has a hard-hitting beat that you'd have to be dead not to feel. The combination of vocals and accompaniment was masterfully produced. This is a genuine work-of-art and not just entertainment. You cant help but tap your feet and bob your head throughout the CD. There is also a professional/polished quality in Tina Jackson's voice there that only enhances the listening experience. I love to crank this one up in the car so the car next to me and feel the beat! Can't wait for the next CD. Count me in as a fan.

If I had to choose 5 CDs to take with me to a desert island this would definately be one of them. This album has it all, great rythum, dynamics, and pace. Everyone who has ever borrowered this CD from me has really liked it. So if you're unfamiliar with contemporary african music, perpare to be blown away! This CD is one of my all time favorites.

Another consideration is sound quality. This CD has great dynamics and soundstage... It sounds good on low-fi, but do yourself a favor and play it on a good system. Its rythums and hooks will put you in the mood to dance the night away.

This CD was introduced to me recently and it sorta got stuck in a stack while I listened to more familiar stuff. I won't do that again. Compared with the Jamaican/Carribean flavors of Marley, Tosh and others, this band has a sound all of their own. The blends of native instruments along side traditional guitar and woodwinds is exhilirating. At first it sounds comfortable and even maybe familiar. Then it takes hold. Progressive, contemporary, warm, and challenging, the sounds of Gambia (the noted center fo this type of "Goombay Music") are diverse and hyponotic. A balmy evening with a cool breeze (or big fan), a tall Fat Tire Ale and some soon to be close friends rounds out this super memorable tour de force. Guess I should race to the Bahama Breeze and get started.

If you like African music, then you will definately like this CD. In my opinion it is a powerful source of party music. You can't go wrong with this one !!!

From the opening strains of Vuli Ndlela (South Africa's 1999 song of the year) through the distinct afro-techno grooves of Oyi-Oyi and Girls, this album is a winner. It's accessible and danceable enough to get any party started, but still incredibly gorgeous and intriguing. If you've ever enjoyed any South African CD before, you have to try this out, it takes everything you like about SA music and makes it brand new.

Perhaps the best album by the group made famous after their immediate success from Paul Simon's Graceland.

Each track on this album is enough to give the listener goose flesh. "Mambazo", meaning "axe" in Zulu, has nothing to do with violence but pertains to the "cutting" nature of the various voices while singing. You certainly get that feeling when listening to this CD. The pulse and harmony on tracks such as "The Star and the Wiseman", "Love I've come to You", and "What a Great Love" will move you.

The tracks on the album all written by the musical genius Joseph Tshabalala and dedicated to his late brother, Headman, make up an altogether stirring album of African rythms.

The big band with no instruments who stole the show on Paul Simon's Graceland are back to prove that they are true masters of harmony, musicality and rhythm. This orchestra of brotherly voices takes us on a journey across the big country of Southern Africa. Dedicated to Headman Msongelwa Shabalala, a founder of the group in 1960, the album's title means 'the star and the wiseman.'

If you want to hear the voice of this young nation, sit back and listen to this eloquent, moving and uplifting virtuoso performance.

The sleeve notes say this was his last live appearance before Franco's death in 1989. It shows what a loss that tragic day was. The energy is awesome, especially on "Etumba". It leaves you exhausted so I can't think how the band felt. And then, with a split-second pause, they're into the next song. Wow! Add it to your collection and DANCE!

I can only say that this a true treasure. A mix of the old and the modern, the way this music is supposed to be.