Africa music reviews

Franco is one of those artists who should only be compiled in a five (or probably more) record set. But if you gotta go with this or the Rough Guide compilation, both only one disc, go with this one. (The Rough Guide company does something that it should be imprisoned for: they edit Franco's work (shorten). This is like chopping half of the Mona Lisa off to fit above your sofa.) Another thing about this disc that is so excellent is how unobvious the choices are. I still play this compilation all the time in spite of the fact that I own 32 Franco complete CD's. This is also the only disc I wish that I had not thrown out the liner notes as they are wonderful. I was nuts to toss them but I don't keep jewel cases or cover art.

I am lucky to own more than 40 cd's of Franco et Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz music. This collection is an excellent initiation into the various stages of Franco's career, but several are edited to fit the constraints of the format. If you like this disc, the Sonodisc label available at Stern's of Africa website has the best collection of the original cd's. There is no one like Franco, from sweet rumba to move-your-feet soukous. The various musicians of OK Jazz are a who's who of 60,70 and 80's golden age of Congolese music.

An outstanding sampler of Franco's entire career, starting off with early 'Fifties hits such as "On Entre O.K., On Sort K.O.", and cruising through to his late '80s soukous material. It's all hella good. This collection also has very good liner notes, informative about the artist as well as the songs. Recommended!

i don't know the title of these 2 songs but i know it 's something like this.."i've got jah. he's mine. he's in my heart everyday"...and " how will i know if she loves me?" can someone please enlighten me on the names of these two songs?

Lucky Dube is one of the best reggae voices to come out of Africa. His music combines upbeat reggae tempos with thoughtful lyrics. With a voice like Peter Tosh, solid musicianship and good production he never disappoints. Although all his music is good, this disk is one of his strongest outings.

He is really good and soon be the bes

Fantastic music. The best of Cape Verde, and that is saying a lot. The two vocals are evocative. A pity Travadinha made only one recording.

This Album is one of my all time favorites. Travadinha's playing is exquisite and the songs beautiful. Played this cd so many times I had to buy a second one as my first got scratched. If you like the sound of mournful violin and acoustic guitar with a cape verdean twinge this album is a must.

Travadinha is a well known musician in Cape Verde for his mastery of the fiddle in the two genres of music of tradicional music: mornas and coladeras.

This recording allows you to dance at the sound of the coladeras and to listen to the beautiful sound of the mornas. It is a must for anyone who appreciates this kind of music. I would even recommend it as a way to introduce someone to Cape Verde music (not forgetting of course Cesaria �vora), I am sure that they will love it.

Ever wonder if it were possible to bottle magic and sell it what would people do? Probably ignore it and pay attention to somethingcommon, boring, or stupid.

In an age where we have tohe ability to make better music why are people listening to Brittany Spears and Moesha?

This is real music made by a real musician!!

If you like African music at all, you will love this album.

THANK YOU Mapangala!

Another treasure to add to your growing collection of great African recordings. SAMBA MAPANGALA took his skills as a musician from Zaire to East Africa in the 70's and finally settled in Kenya, where he became a big hit. These tracks were developed and recorded by his group ORCHESTRE VIRUNGA in the early 80's, and all hum with creative energy. Complementing the rich vocals of SAMBA and FATAKI are some sublime guitar licks from various master guitarists and a bubbling bass. Check out LAWI SOMANA'S solo on AHMED SABIT (Track 2), which teases the senses so exquisitely, and helps make this track a classic. Another noticeable feature of the album is the jazzy horn section. (Total music: 53 min.)

This remarkable album by Cape Town born Abdullar Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand) epitomises the genius of this Jazz veteran. This album is the "story" an undaunted man who rose to greatest in a country in racial-turmoil. This story telling through the energy of Ibrahim and his Piano come to a head in the tear-jerking performance of Mannenberg: a reminder of days gone by and troubled times to all South Africans.

Like many jazz musicians, Ibrahim found most of his career success playing along the East Coast of the US - yet he never gave up his African routes and most of his work has an unmistakable African flavour to it. Perhaps that was why he has been so highly acclaimed. This album certainly encompasses this. This album works on all levels. It is critically commendedable, an uplifting story, and perhaps best of all: is unintrusive as background music.

Conclusion: A must for all Jazz Collections.

Abdullah Ibrahim's music and message fly nimbly across cultures with wings on its feet. From the opening, joyously cacophonous strains of "Black Lightening" to the closing serenity of "The Pilgrim", this CD works on every level, pleasing the ears while nourishing the heart and spirit.

Listen to "Mannenberg Is Where It's Happening," and marvel at Mr. Ibrahim's township-meets-baroque harpsichord, in symbiotic call-and-response with Basil Coetzee's breath-defying, melodic sax solos. The effect is pure rapture.

This entire compilation exemplifies the commonalities of spirit and aesthetic that bind all humanity together. Irrespective of race, creed, or color, Mr. Ibrahim's delightfully transcendant hybrid of Ellingtonian piano jazz and African inflected rhythyms remind us that true communication is possible, and music may often be its most faithful messenger.

Recommended highly for music lovers of all persuasions!

The musicians from the Wassoulou region of Mali sing about everyday prblems and how to deal with them. Themes include true love versus arranged marriages. Included here are established stars such as Kagbe Sidibe and Coumba Sdibe who have been famous in Wes Africa since the 1960s, as well as younger singers like Sali Sidibe and Dienaba Diakite. The Arab-influenced music mixes traditional instruments such as the Kamal Ngoni (a type of 6-string guitar) and the Djembe (deerhide drum) with modern keybords, electric guitars, flute, strings and bass, to harmonious effect. The best tracks are full of infectious riffs but the vocals are really exceptional: tough and earthy, rousing and soaring. Their purity is underlined by the Arabic call and response delivery. As starkly beautiful as a cathedral of bones at midnight.

This captivating CD presents nine tracks by five female vocalists from Mali's Wassoulou region. One track is by Oumou Sangare with the others being sung in similar (but not identical) styles. The sound is a unique synthesis of west African and northern African influences from a country on the southern edge of the Sahara. Exotic but soulful. Also includes some fine instrumental work. Nicely recorded.

From the traditional spiritual voices of Lady Blacksmith Mambaso, the funky Juju of King Sunny Ade, the harmonica flavoured Mbalax of Ismael Lo, the fado influenced melancholy of Cape Verde, the raw blues of Boubacar Traore,the smooth Jazz of Richard Bona,to the Rai of North Africa,the music of Africa is very diverse,rich and powerful.
Amadou and Mariam, are yet another fine example of two very talented and creative artists from Mali, who play a type of blues that is quite melodic and original.Wati is their latest release, and like all their previous work, it is a masterpiece. Their secret is in writing a sort of music that will captivate you from the very first tune, and will not let off until the very last note from the last track. The bluesy guitars enriched by the hammond, and the fine singing and brilliant backing vocals and arrangements will take you on a journey that very few modern musicians of any style or language will take you on. It is the MOOD that is so crucial in Amadou and Mariam's work.The melody and voices and playing are all blended into the listener's mind to put him/her in the right musical mood that will make the perfect listening experience. (the closest African band that put me in this similar mood was the underrated and hugely talented Ifang Bondi).
You should not hestitate in buying this record or any of Amadou and Mariam's work, for it is a great reflection of the richness,diversity,power,and magic of Africa.

A&M deliver the goods again. This CD is sytlistically similar to their previous 2 (us released) CDs. i.e., fabulous. Their wonderful arrangements are perfect accompanyment to their catchy songs. I hope I get to hear live someday.

This CD from Jabu Khanyile (Bayete) is brillliant. As fan of African Pop and traditional music, this recording is a superb blend of both. The songs are beautifully sang by Bayete in native tongue but also some English. The arrangements and sound quality are excellent. Check out "Bomme" with its pulsating dance bassline and wonderful female backup vocals, reminicent of Lucky Dube's band. This album is 74 min. of pure joy.

An oldie but a goodie! I highly recommend.

one of the best soundtracks to grace a dramatic action movies ever produced. You can feel the emotion and the drama in every note.

Decades of playing and teaching have helped 'Dibo' and Miguel find the creme de la creme of students: the proof is in the listening, as good or better a group as we have ever heard.
�An extra delight is the sense of swing found in some tunes which begs the question "is swing actually of African origin?"
�Fore-Fote is only a four-member group, but you'll swear there just has to be more of them.

I am, in my early sixties, learning how to drum. Have really just begun a few months ago. I took a live class with Fore-Fote before I even had struck this kind of hand drum -- and I was flummoxed, couldn't do much at all. BUT, the quality of the sound there in that room, and the very special deeply loving and happy energy that was there in abundance came into me and somehow changed me. I have been taking lessons from local people in the interim and just yesterday had the opportunity to take a second lesson with Fore-Fote. I did better at drumming, for sure -- but the more important thing was the confirmation of my first impression of this music. I bought their CD (Wonbere) and listened to it today at home, and that love and special energy came through. This is soul-stirring stuff, that somehow reminds me of my potential for being happy in an all-connected kind of way that I vaugely remember from somewhere, sometime -- maybe from my childhood, or, maybe from a genetic memory. It really has a special shine, and I feel blessed to have it now to listen to and to drum with.

When the musicians of Fore-Fote and guest artists from Guinea, West Africa got together to create this CD, the booklet tells us, the experience was so uplifting and exhilarating they decided to name it "Wonbere" which means "with joy" in the Susu language. That joy is passed on to the listener in this energizing CD. As an ethnomusicologist and a student of traditional djembe music who has traveled to Guinea to study, I highly recommend "Wonbere" as a 'must-have' for every djembe enthusiast's collection. Not only is the drum work truly representative of the living culture in Guinea today, but the high production quality sets this CD apart from many others that are currently available. Check out M. Lamine "Dibo" Camara's virtuosic drumming on tracks such as "Yole," "Ligueba," and "Soko." For kora (african harp) aficionados, Prince Diabate is awesome on "Sabar," "Sunu," and "Yankadi." Additionally, the booklet, written by Fore-Fote member and Dibo's adopted son Ryan M. Camara, gives valuable information about the instruments used and the history and meaning of the traditional rhythms comprising this inspiring collection.