Africa music reviews

What a find this is: A joyous, textured, absolutely rocking collection of pan-African music featuring groups from Zimbabwe, Zaire, South Africa, Mali, Madagascar, the Ivory Coast, Sudan, Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria and Kenya. There are a variety of musical styles, including tuku, "bikitsu rock," soukous, rai, and "benga beats." In addition to tradition Western instruments such as the sax, trumpet, bass, accordion, and electric guitar, there are the goombay (large drum), mbira (thumb piano), valihu (bamboo zither), the oud, and an assortment of percussive instruments.

Even if you've never heard much African music, I think you'll enjoy this immensely. If you like jazz, polyrhythmic music, percussion, or even rock, there is much to enjoy.

The first few songs are outstanding both as listening and dance music: They're energetic pieces from Zimbabwe and Cameroon that are simply electrifying! Oliver Mtukdzi's "Ndiri Bofu" features bopping bass playing; "Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited" moves with virtuoso thumb piano and compelling call and response vocals; and the percussion of "Za Ayi Neyi" by "Les Tetes Brulees" is riveting. Other highlights include the soulful vocals of South Africa's "Ladysmith Black Mamzabo," the infectious "M'Fono Yami" by Zaire's Papa Wembar; the intricate playing and joyful whoops on Tarika Sammy's valihu piece, "Eh Zalahy (Madagascar), and Lulu Masilela' sax rocking over a background of accordion, guitars, and drums on "Six Mabone" (Six Lights, named after the headlights on big American autos of the 1950's)

The intensity and joy will wash over you. Please give this a try, one of my favorite albums in a collection of mostly Western music. The accompanying 22-page booklet gives brief bios of each group, photos, albums on which the songs originally appeared, and--for some songs--lyric samples, list of musicians and instruments. The recording quality is excellent.

This CD is an excellent compilation of Kanda Bongo Man's music from his Kwasa-Kwasa era of the late 80's to mid 90's. Unlike most of Kanda's albums which are painfully short and last just under 30 minutes at best, this one is almost 70 full minutes of super quality hit after hit. Another thing that I liked about this CD is that the versions of the songs on this CD are done in their full and extended editions, as opposed to the rushed and abbreviated versions of the same songs found on previous Kanda albums, like the Sai on Sango, for example. It's usually the other way round with many musicians. If you have never listened to Kanda and are wondering what the heck I'm talking about, this will be a good introduction to his music. It doesn't by no means contain all of his hits and best songs (infact my best Kanda song is not there), but it does cover most of them.

This is a compilation of the best work of Kanda Bongoman. All the tracks on this CD are very good and it comprises most of his works so far. A good dance party CD that will light up any party. I am glad that I now have it. It is very good and I will recommend it to all Soukous lovers. The best of Pepe Kalle is very good as well.

Simon Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens started making music in the 1960s and in the next decade they became one of South Africa's most popular groups. The Queens recorded on their own and with Mahlatini whose gravely voice serves as the perfect counterpoint to their exuberant vocal harmonies. This style of music is called Mbaqanga, a rhythmic dance-friendly style of pop. They sing about the style on the catchy track with that title which is one of my favorites. Other great hits include Malaika, the lilting Jive Motella with its rousing vocals, Rastaman with its reggae influence, Thina Siyakhanyisa, Josefa and Dilika Town Hall. There is plenty of variety within their township pop style. With their huge recorded output, this Best Of compilation only scratches the surface but it does contain a number of their greatest evergreen hits. The tunes are catchy, the harmonies exquisite and the interplay between Mahlatini's deep voice and the Queens' high register makes for marvelous dramatic tension. This music is guaranteed to make you happy! I also recommend their albums Thokozile and Mbaqanga, both classic works that are packed with great songs.

This album was recorded a few months after the death of founder-member Boudjmaa in 1975 and contains the group in full-force. Actually, the versions are more solid and go to a kinda hardrock Moroccan style. What Full House is for Fairport Convention is this album for Nass el Ghiwane

Anyone who has enjoyed a show with Shimita & Soukous Stars, his former group, will love this! "Suzi" and "Assipo" are usually on the bill, both on here. There are a few romantic songs but the main thing about his songs are the intricate melodies set to driving, danceable rhythms. Some are soukous, some are zaiko, and all are fun, enjoyable: a touch of rumba,too, and he really has a warm, sweet voice with a lot of class & flair for the unique, with interesting arrangements & a bit of humor, too! He has a lot of CDs but they're hard to find, so get this one while
it's accessible, containing the best of the best!

If you don't like "Xarit" and "Thiapathioly," two standout tracks here, you probably don't like Youssou N'Dour. This release is a compilation of two of You's best local cassettes--and thank the big G they made it onto this CD! This disc is a modern afro-pop staple--ripping, uncompromising production (recorded at Xippi). To fans: whatever you do, don't pass this one up; wicked Boule Fale mbalax clear on through.

Baaba Maal's name is standard among West African musicians and he's forged a name for himself in a powerful fusion of traditional and contemporary African-based sounds; but where are his roots?
�They lie right here, in the BEST OF THE EARLY YEARS collection: simply a 'must have' for any avid Baaba Maal listener who would appreciate his 1980s and 90s efforts, from his first album Wango to the 1992 Lam Touro and beyond.

A fine, representative collection of this Senegalese superstar's work from 1988-94. The opening tracks are gorgeous -- loping, sensuous jams with the classic West African guitar sound of the 1970s, and even a few dips into the Afro-Pop sound of Fela Kuti. The second half of this disc, though, lingers on lush, overwrought pop production styles that I personally find kind of a turn-off, but other world music fans may adore. For an even-handed look at his Maal's early career, this is a very good introduction. The liner notes can also help steer you towards individual albums that may be to your liking.

Baaba Maal's name is standard among West African musicians and he's forged a name for himself in a powerful fusion of traditional and contemporary African-based sounds; but where are his roots?
�They lie right here, in the BEST OF THE EARLY YEARS collection: simply a 'must have' for any avid Baaba Maal listener who would appreciate his 1980s and 90s efforts, from his first album Wango to the 1992 Lam Touro and beyond.

A fine, representative collection of this Senegalese superstar's work from 1988-94. The opening tracks are gorgeous -- loping, sensuous jams with the classic West African guitar sound of the 1970s, and even a few dips into the Afro-Pop sound of Fela Kuti. The second half of this disc, though, lingers on lush, overwrought pop production styles that I personally find kind of a turn-off, but other world music fans may adore. For an even-handed look at his Maal's early career, this is a very good introduction. The liner notes can also help steer you towards individual albums that may be to your liking.

If you're only familiar with Miriam Makeba's folk-era recordings ("The Click Song," etc.) then take the time to check out this amazing set of her earliest work from the mid-1950s, with the Skylarks vocal ensemble. This is South African "jive" music, a mix of ska-like African rhythms and American jazz and swing melodies - some of the most cheery and infectious music you'll ever hear! This is a great single-CD retrospective; there's are also a 2-volume collection on Teal Records in case you want MORE!

This is the best single collection I've found of the songs spanning Johnny Clegg's long career. It's affordable if bought used (i.e., not at Amazon, sorry guys). For Clegg fanatics, it's worth it to add another version of these songs to your collection - all of them energetic and well-played. For newcomers, it's worth it to get an easy introduction to why you might want to become a fanatic. Having been converted, though, it's worth tracking down the original albums. None of these live versions do any sort of disservice to the original song, but very few are actually better (in my view) - "Dela," for example, loses a good deal of its original subtlety in this live setting, at least. (That said, it settles in beautifully between "Tatazela" and "December African Rain.") Also, the mix between songs is a little abrupt - like the mix tapes you made in college, the applause just cuts off, then starts again.

But buy this album - then buy the rest.

Technically, this is the best recording of Johnny Clegg's music that is available. This is a live recording at the Nelson Mandella Theater and is beautifully engineered. In addition, Johnny's voice has taken on a confidently mature sound that is not heard on many of his other recordings.

Johnny Clegg's music is an amazing amalgam of different musical styles combiing Zulu singing, rock, reggae, and jazz. It is shocking that he is so little known in the USA and his music is never played on popular radio. He is an international star as witnessed by the huge crowd at a concert in Paris, which is featured on his Live DVD.

This CD contains performances and arrangements by the band members who comprise the Johnny Clegg Band that just finished touring in the US in Spring and Summer 2004. With two veterans of the Savuka days (Andy Innes and Mandisa Dlanga) and the new talent Johnny has recruited for this band, the musicianship is superb, the arrangements are new and lively and in a few cases even better than the originals. The liner notes explain that this is a live recording of performances made at the Nelson Theatre in Johannesburg called "A South African Story." Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of South Africans have attended these concerts over the past few years. If you saw the band in the US in Spring or Summer 2004 and want to listen to the sound you heard, this is the CD to buy. If you already know Clegg's music, this is an excellent way to get updated on a master musician's newest phase. Hopefully it will be released domestically and will be a little less expensive, but it is still worth every penny!