Africa music reviews

I idolized Hugh Masekela during my teens. When I first heard "Grazing in the Grass" in 1968, I flipped. That began an obsession that had me going to my first 'Hugh' - as I used to call him (like we were old friends) - concert when I was only 15 years old, traveling with my cousin (also 15) on a Trailway Bus, from Baltimore to D.C. We didn't even know how we were going to get back to the bus station from the Shadyside Hotel where the concert was, and we didn't really care. Many more concerts and appearances followed. I used to say that Hugh could not come within 50 miles of Baltimore that I wouldn't be there to see him.

I began to collect all of his albums, even those that were out before I ever heard of him (i.e., from 1966, 1967). I named my Great Dane 'Hugh' - no offense. At that first concert, when I cornered Hugh at a water cooler at the Shadyside, and asked for his autograph, he delivered the line that I later found out was the same comment on one of his album covers. It was about Lassie being more famous than he. Well, all right, but I never stayed up night after night 'til dawn watching Lassie reruns.

Anyway, this CD brings back wonderful memories from the sixties and the seventies. I only wish that "In The Market" were on this one. Now, I am pleasantly surprised to have found the original (not a compilation) "Promise of a Future" available (it's in my Wish List if anyone wants to surprise me). I'm also hoping for at least a compilation that includes "Society's Child", "Thula", and that SLAMMIN' "Lily the Fox"! Again, this one, "Stimela" is a joint.

Ha Lese Le Di Khanna (correct spelling) originally found on his 60's album (not to be found on this planet anymore), The Emancipation of Hugh Masekela, is the alpha and omega of Masekela's music. On his album HOPE, Masekela repeats this song in a more stylized, polished, and subdued fashion with his voice sounding like the much, much older man that he is now as opposed to when he first recorded this on the UNI Stereo Album 73007, Universal City Records, MCA, a Chisa Production, produced by Stewart Levin back in the late 60's.

I am really not sure whether this is the later more polished version or the origial extracted from Emancipation. Thus I am afraid after purchasing it, I may be disappointed. The only purpose of my purchase was to hopefully get the digital version from Emancipation...not the version from HOPE. Oh well.....

Possibly somebody out there can clear this up because it makes a BIG difference in how this piece of music sounds....a yacht on a lake compared to an all guns blazing full flank battle ship in the open ocean during a storm with no regard to accuracy or navigation.

If it is from the Emancipation album...look out! Turn up the volume until a hurricane is being blown from your speakers and let this one RIP! The percusion is enormous, his trumpet playing is raw, naked, and in your face, and the timing of the delivery of the words being unique and explosive. Masakela normally features this great song at his concerts. Let's hope this is the orginal version from the 60's.

Grazin' in the Grass was his commercial blockbuster but Ha Lese Le Di Khanna is exposed, moving, drenched in passion and exhuberance held together with an earth pounding beat that moves you to your feet instantly.

I lived in West Africa for three years and this is the best album I found. A Peace Corps volunteer played if for me on Christmas Day in Mali. It is intense and moving and absolute dynamite to listen to.

When I first heard a couple tracks from Sya on the radio, I was immediately hooked. This CD has a great sound, mixing traditional African music with rythmic techo samples. I enjoy both forms of music, and this album is accessible to fans of either genre. The artist, Issa, is a self made musician from Mali who came from very poor family. There is an interesting story in the liner notes. Highly recommended.

Top d'Coroa is probably the best Cd I own. The rythm is joyful and sad at once. You identify with the music in any state of mind. It's kind of a let out whatever is in you. The drums, at heart beats let you get in touch with yourself. I just love this CD. I put it on when I'm happy, or sad, or feel lonely, or when friends come over for dinner. It's just magical.

Bau is a true professional. You definitely hear it in his music. I really love this CD and have purchased several more of his CD's based on what I heard on it. He is extremely talented and I love the feeling his music evokes.

Bonga is the king of African music. Hear this album if you want to know why.

I love this CD because it show the real sounds of Angola. Bonga didn't try to be like the Angolanos of today that copy the sounds of other countries and their peoples. In this 1971 album, Bonga used his own musical tradition to emphasize the Angolan spirit in their fight for independance from Portugal. Real Angolanos KNOW AND PLAY THE TRADITIONs.

I love this CD because it show the real sounds of Angola. Bonga didn't try to be like the Angolanos of today that copy the sounds of other countries and their peoples. In this 1971 album, Bonga used his own musical tradition to emphasize the Angolan spirit in their fight for independance from Portugal. Real Angolanos KNOW AND PLAY THE TRADITION.

I bought this because of the wonderful songs heard on the Lonely Planet series. This album is for anyone who enjoys different cultures and colorful music, and when I close my eyes and listen to these songs, I go to Cuba or Africa and all the delicious places one would like to visit.

This is a GREAT cd. Song numbers 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 15 are some of my favorite songs. This is one of my favorite cd's

There are so many compilations out there, and this is one of the best. Regardless of how "important" or "representative" the songs chosen here are, they all sound great! A wonderful addition to any world or African music collection, and great for a beginner in African/world music!

This album is the sixth in a series of introductions to the world's great musical traditions. Each volume is built around a geographical theme and produced by an acknowledged expert in that area.

The African journey commences in Algeria and then heads South, stopping off in Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Gabon, Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar, before terminating in South Africa. The 14 tracks are representative but slightly atypical of their regions; most share a semi-acoustic yet modern and edgy esthetic. While a single CD cannot possibly showcase the music of an entire continent, these examples are a good way to get acquainted - or reacquainted - with Africa's stunning musical diversity. The set culminates in a moving rendition of the South African national hymn "Nkosi Sikilele I'Afrika," as performed by the Imilonji Kantu Choral Society, who sang it at former President Nelson Mandela's inauguration.

The Africando band consists of, arranger Boncana Maiga and various singers from Africa ( mostly from Senegal ), and various South American musicians.
This is salsa at its very best, it is as good as Ricardo Lemvo !
And isn't it ironic, that just as with Ricardo Lemvo, the primary forces here are African !
Its kind of strange listening to Salsa sung in French, and various African languages, however these African singers are the very best from Africa, and you couldn't replace them with any Latin singers, it wouldn't be the same.
This particular album is possibly the best of their first 5 albums :- Trovador, Tierra Tradicional, Gombo Salsa, Baloba, Mandali, but all these albums have some terrific tracks. My favourite Africando track is a song on Mandali, sung by the great Koffi Olomide, called Mapao.
Like all Salsa this music has depth, because it has complex instrumental arrangements, but is very melodic, and very uplifting. This is happy music, it is mood changing.
I don't play it too much, because I never want to tire of listening to it, because it makes me feel so good.
This album is a must for all Salsa, and African music lovers.
I have a large African and Latin American music collection, and I rate this album as one of the best.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next album.

I highly recommend this AFRICANDO CD. If you like Latin/African music, you'll love the infectious sounds and rhythms of AFRICANDO. The instrumentation is complex and extremely rich. It has a very danceable beat. I can't stop listening to it!

My knowledge of this group is limited, but there is a lot of great music here, if you're looking to start a collection of African music, or if (like me) you're simply looking for something different from the stuff you normally expect to hear in Europe and America.

You get plenty of straight African music (including a lot of chanting), but you also get some more familiar songs given the LBM treatment, often with interesting guests (see Amazon's own summary of this collection). CD2 leads off with a track from Graceland.

Of course, a lot of today's radio music has it's roots in Africa, and just to remind you, the second track on CD2 is Mbube, a song which, after adaptation, became variously known as Wimomeh or The lion sleeps tonight. Now you can hear it without westernisation.

This 34-track double album from Ladysmith Black Mambazo features some of their finest ever songs, starting off with "Halala South Africa (Congratulations South Africa), and ending on CD 2 with "Once In a blue moon" (Feat. Lighthouse Family) Ladysmith Black Mambazo collaborated with Des'ree on "Ain't no sunshine" and that song is on this album (CD2). INKANYEZI NEZAZI (Star and the Wise Man) was used on the Heinz Ads and was famous in Britain. This album is a excellent one for any fan of the group.

The basis of Mhlongo's music is mbaqanga, or maskanda, two closely related styles of guitar-based South African music with vocal chorus. There are many popular artists of this style; it was featured prominently in the acclaimed "Indestructible Beat of Soweto" samplers and on Paul Simon's 1986 "Graceland."

Busi, however, "kicks it up a notch" by the addition of some edgy percussion, deep-rumble basslines and of course her high-energy vocal delivery. The music is still recognizably South African, with complex rhythms and sophisticated melody lines (unlike the 4/4 chromaticism of almost all hip-hop), but it definitely has that "urban" feel.

Afropop is a worldwide phenomenon precisely because artists like Mhlongo are able to adapt it to include the most up-to-date elements from around the globe. The richness and depth of her music is nothing short of amazing.

As a long-time fan of African music, particularly southern African, I must rate this as possibly the best album to come out of South Africa in years.
Not a weak track to be heard, and the last two tracks just take it over the top.
Powerful, tight, and far more authentic than most of the insipid "indigenous" music coming out of South Africa at present. Her voice is fantastic.
If you like African or World music consider this a must have.

While I'm not always a fan of African music, which can be too repetitive for my taste, I'm knocked out by the rhythmic subtlety and emotional power of this CD. The music is simply beautiful, and the feelings that it projects transcend language barriers. Truly exceptional.

The basis of Mhlongo's music is mbaqanga, or maskanda, two closely related styles of guitar-based South African music with vocal chorus. There are many popular artists of this style; it was featured prominently in the acclaimed "Indestructible Beat of Soweto" samplers and on Paul Simon's 1986 "Graceland."

Busi, however, "kicks it up a notch" by the addition of some edgy percussion, deep-rumble basslines and of course her high-energy vocal delivery. The music is still recognizably South African, with complex rhythms and sophisticated melody lines (unlike the 4/4 chromaticism of almost all hip-hop), but it definitely has that "urban" feel.

Afropop is a worldwide phenomenon precisely because artists like Mhlongo are able to adapt it to include the most up-to-date elements from around the globe. The richness and depth of her music is nothing short of amazing.

As a long-time fan of African music, particularly southern African, I must rate this as possibly the best album to come out of South Africa in years.
Not a weak track to be heard, and the last two tracks just take it over the top.
Powerful, tight, and far more authentic than most of the insipid "indigenous" music coming out of South Africa at present. Her voice is fantastic.
If you like African or World music consider this a must have.

While I'm not always a fan of African music, which can be too repetitive for my taste, I'm knocked out by the rhythmic subtlety and emotional power of this CD. The music is simply beautiful, and the feelings that it projects transcend language barriers. Truly exceptional.