Africa music reviews

The orchestrations remind me more and more of him as I continue to listen. Beautiful recording.

I still marvel how much music is still out there, unexplored and just waiting for the unsuspecting lucky listener to stumble across something as beautiful as this.

Even though sung in 3 different languages, the tunes will be easy for the western ear to adapt to without any problem, even as she stays true to her musical roots.

Melodic and heartfelt, this great recording deserves special attention.

Without a doubt this album rivals all my favorites! I can not get enough of it! The first time I listened to it it made me cry. Still it evokes emotions in me I do not even understand. Her voice takes you far away, the acoustics are phenominal! I was thinking of not sharing this with anyone, keeping it like a secret...a magic place to get away to, but it's just too good to keep to myself! Enjoy!

This is an outstanding recording from an outstanding artist. Yarona will be a prize for your jazz CD collection. At times Ibrahim can be sweet and subtle. Then, the trio will break into fascinating creativity that move and rock you. The recording breathes with atmosphere.

After being present at Sweet Basils when this was recorded we were pleasantly surprised that the disk did capture the nuances of the performances. Evident is the spiritualness of Ibrahim's playing and an amazing cohesivess and communication of this trio. The sounds of live audience response (and some clattering dishes) added to the atmosphere of being at one of New York's legendary jazz hot spots. And do pay particular attention to the musicality exhibited by George Johnson, drummer - exceptional and sensitive - as was the bassist Marcus McLaurine. An exceptional evening and recording.

AWESOME. This 1976 masterpiece is probably the best funk album ever recorded in Brazil, and one of the best Brazilian pop albums, ever. Period. Features the often-anthologized "Umbabarauma" and the super-funky "Xica da Silva," but also a whole slew of other great tracks, such as the James Brown/Sly Stone inspired "Hermes Trismegisto Escriveu" and other groove-heavy wonders. A couple of songs are too shrill -- less disco flirtations than just plain old pop-funk gone jittery. One such track is an unfortunate remake of "Taj Mahal," the 1974 song is where Rod Stewart swiped the melody to "If You Think I'm Sexy"... Nevertheless, this is a great record... Absolutely essential.

This may well be the funkiest album ever recorded in Brazil (many of you will be unaware, but many great funky records were recorded there in the 70s). Jorge Ben basically started the Rio funk/soul movement, and this relentlessly banging album holds its own with virtually any US funk album of 1976 (and that's obviously saying plenty...). The most familiar track will be "Umbabarauma" as featured on the first David Byrne compilation, but trust me, the funk on this album NEVER LETS UP. Jorge Ben (initials JB!), the funkiest man ever in Brazil! My brother!

Lutchiana is one of those Grands Chanteurs Africains whose tone is immediately recognizable, and this album gives him room to exercise his full vocal range. Although famous for his soukous vocals, this particular selection features both soukous and 'rumba zouk', influenced by the input of arranger, Jean-Philippe Tamba. It is therefore very much an album of two styles, with Lutchiana's vocal line tying them together: there is ponderous/ amorous zouk Lutchiana (e.g.'Pourquoi aimer et ne pas etre aime?') and frenetic soukous Lutchiana (e.g. 'Eki', 'Vano'), and some tracks (e.g.'Experience') are a mixture of the two.

Although Tamba's evident reliance on the synthesizer could offend guitar-loving purists, with a complement of twelve tracks, there are plenty of shimmering guitar lines on offer...enough to warrant a five star rating.

Primeval 1928 African pop recordings from West Africa's Gold Coast (aka The Congo). Highlights expressive, talkative vocals set in front of two acoustic guitars and a rather lively, almost chaotic, drummer. After a while the tracks start sounding a lot alike, but for true devotees of African pop music, this is a historical goldmine. Compelling and a bit eerie.

Dr. Nico was THE major influence on the current generation of top Congolese guitarists, and, in my opinion, the single greatest arranger and band conductor in African Pop. Need proof? Check out this CD. As the host of 'The African Hour' in Rochester, N.Y., and DJ for Loketo, King Summy Ade, Kanda Bongo Man, Mirian Makeba and others, I can testify that this is the stuff that Loketo et. al. boogied to, throughout their youth and for many years thereafter.

This is a beautiful and melodic album that covers several years in this masters career. I stumbled upon it used one day and bought it. Since, it is considered one of my favorite African albums.

Tabu Ley Rochereau in his rawest form. The album intermingles the sweet voice of this star with blasting horns, stable bass, and a nice beat. Very mellow and satisfying taking the listener back to the yesteryear of congolese rumba. No fast-jumping guitar solos here, just mere old-fasioned pleasure. Track two highlights the superb voclas and shows that the voice is nothing more than an instrument.

This song I remember was a BIG hit. I love it, it's got everything that a song people can relate to in the lyrics. All you need to do is just put this song on, lay down and let it sink in to your emotional side. It doesn't get much air play these days, but it's still a song which is a favorite among many still. I love the ending, when i think it's african? Youssou N'Dour is singing, it's a great touch and ends the song perfectly.

One of the best new finds (for me)of great and different music. Can't reommend more highly.