Africa music reviews

Lucky dube is one of the best reggae artist of this time.
He sings his songs so relaxed, and still emotional.
Not affraid to describe his feelings about politics, and yet so optimistic.
This album takes you to another level.Troubles dissapear with a song like Feel Irie. Hopes is there in Peace Perfect Peace.
The rest of the songs have a really strong message. A message of hope, peace, love and understanding.
My favourite song is probabaly It's Not Easy. A song about a relationship that went wrong wrapped in a telephone call with his mother.

I love reggae and I think this is like one of my favourites.

This CD is a moving combination of rhythms that are performed with spirit and ingenuity. The Africa->West trio has managed to join percussion traditions from three continents while maintaining the integrity of the music. I gave a disc to a Ghanaian friend of mine studying here--he loves it! He thought the trio could make money touring in Ghana. The group is that good.

For students of percussion, I recommend this recording for its well-studied, excellent execution. One member has studied extensively in Ghana, another in Cuba, and the third with drumset masters in the US. Even so, it is hard to believe this was made by only three musicians.

For those who appreciate world music, I recommend Africa->West for its authentic combination of connected cultures. This blend of vocals and rhythm truly transport you.

Africa is such a large continent, but people (including myself) have a habit of refering to "African Music" as if it were monolithic. This is manifestly not true. If you have even a remote interest in African Music buy this CD. This is a excellent representative collection (but not nearly complete) at a great price. At this price buy two copies and give one to a friend

I think, this is the first album after changing his name from Dollar Brand to Ibrahim. Alone the prayer Ishmael is worth to have this item, no matter if you are a Muslim or not(like me).
Sit down, close your eyes and relax - I garantee you will like to hear it again and again and again - time stands still.

A great window into the effects of American funk as it rippled across the African Continent. Hard to sit still as you listen to it...grooves are long, simple and sweaty. All the bands exhibit an equality of talent rare in compilations. This is a must for every party/wedding/road trip. Hopefully this will continue to deepen American's appreciation of the roots of modern West African popular music.

You may know Tony Scott from his early career in the 50s playing a velvety, sublimely lyrical clarinet behind Sarah Vaughan, or perhaps as the multiple-time winner of DownBeat readers' "Best Clarinest" award. Or, you may have checked out his new age/world music album "Music for Zen Meditation". In any case, I recommend this album for the following reasons: 1) The compositions are very creative and personal while remaining true to their African music inspiration. They are textural + atmospheric yet not vacuous; there's some solid instrumental work from all parties- particularly, Scott, the marimba player + the trombonist. 2) The inner peace and beauty that makes Scott so special as a player is omnipresent in the music. Once again, I assure you: this music is not dilute or 'spacey', either. The be-bopper looking for long, complex, sinewy lines from Scott will not find them but will re-discover a primordial sound that in some ways mirrors the 'bebop jungle', only without the hardness. More interestingly, this album is an homage to Charlie Parker. Not a direct or obvious one, but one that rings true at the level of spirit and heritage. Check it out!! --DG

I own African Lullaby and love the thoughtful selection of songs and wonderful packaging. I was delighted to find out that part 2 has been released! Soothing global rhythms for the baby and parents too!

The South African born performer and composer, Dollar Brand (now Abdullah Ibrahim), starts his `African Piano' like some amiable pub pianist idly shuffling the keys of an old piano in the quiet corner of some down-town bar. This mood soon changes as the music develops into an incredibly hypnotic rhythm that dances with your senses and fills you with delight until the very end of the album. This is music that is impossible to categorise, a mix of jazz, blues, gospel, Arabic and traditional African folk tunes fused together to create a wonderfully evocative sound. For many, this music represented the optimism and hope of Soweto during the darkest days of apartheid. Abdullah Ibrahim's solo piano creates a multi-layered sound underlined by strong rhythms and enchanting melodies that seem to recapture the essential spirit of an African music that has escaped from that continent to blossom in the New World. To his many admirers, Abdullah Ibrahim is the `brother with perfect timing' and no other album demonstrates this accolade so well.

OK, so you like African music, and you have a thing for soukous. Soukous is by nature repetitive. But when youre dancing, who cares?! Listen carefully and you realize that Munan is thru composed. Each song is worked out in detail. But best of all, the SOUND is awesome, balanced, rich, and melodic. You can BLAST this album and the louder the better. Maika Munan is a treasure. He's played in the background for many other artists, but went out on his own to cut an album, and as of this review, most unfortunately, African Swinger is the only one to be found. Perhaps, by playing as a support musician for so long, he felt more comfortable enjoining some of the most famous names in uptodate west African rhythm rock, such as Papa Wemba, Ray Lema, and Faya Tess to accompany his debut. You get the punching bass, rich drum rhythm, bright horns, blinding guitar, marimba, vocal harmonies and classic yet ever so refined keyboard you know from other African styles, but best of all - VARIETY!. Not all songs are his, but the whole album is consistent, straight ahead melodic ethnic root rock, yet each song is unique and remarkably accessible, enjoyable and body twitching intoxicating. The SOUND is what drives this disc. The totally tight musicianship is what astonishes. You are instantly transported to a West African coastal disco or pub, sipping forget-the-world concoctions, leaving your chair and participating physically in the intricate, emotional harmonies, and setting the disc to play again, and again, and again. Someone tell me why has Mungan not blessed us with another pressing of his magical talent so present in this collaboration. Someone please email me the moment you hear of Maika Mungan's next gift to our ears!

It grows on you...I especially like the last track.