Africa music reviews

"Everything Scatter/Noise for Vendor Mouth" is another gem in the Fela two-albums-on-one-CD reissue series on MCA. It should be noted that unlike some of the other titles in this series, the tracks that make up the "Everything Scatter" LP -- the title cut and "Who No Know Go Know" -- were previously available on CD on the Celluloid label in the late 80s. "Scatter" was part of the original "Zombie" disc, and "Who No Know" was on "Mr. Follow Follow." Both "Everything Scatter" and "Noise for Vendor Mouth" (and its b-side "Mattress") were originally released in 1975. This was the beginning of what was arguably Fela's greatest period, and in the next three years he would release more than a dozen albums! While "Zombie" and "Opposite People" are clearly the essential recordings from this period, this disc, and all of the Fela reissues, are really indispensable.

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For all the many albums available by these household names from Africa, what you get here, unlike the more polished studio albums, is the real african exotic voices. This one should repeat their success in african music. This album brings to your home the dangers, exhaustions, and exhilarations better than any journalism. I have first heard their voice in the greatest Paul Simon-penned "Homeless." since then, they are my greatest group in african music.

For me, this recording is the most provocative of the Nonesuch Explorer Africa Series. Each selection retains an unusual distinctive quality that allows it to linger on the listener's memory for hours. The inventive and engaging rhythmic figures, combined with the peculiar sonorities, set this disc apart from other recordings of African music I have heard. The flute playing on this disc is simply phenomenal; the serenity evoked by "Shepherd's Flute" is remarkable. It is indeed ironic that such music originates from a country with such a tragic history. If you had to limit yourself to only two discs in the Nonesuch Explorer Africa Series, this one and the excellent "The Soul of Mbira: Music of the Shona People" would be the ones to get.

This excellent remaster/reissue is essential. I don't have the entire Explorer African series yet, but of the ones I have, this one and Burkina Faso - Rhythms of the Grasslands are the two absolutely must-haves, although I just got the Burkina Faso disc a few days ago. I have had Drum, Chant & Instrumental Music for about a year. Not that there aren't other great discs in this series (there are!), but if I could only keep two out of the ones I have, these would be the two I would choose.

This one gives us field-recordings from the late 1960s or early '70s of music from the Hausa, Djerma, Tuareg, Lodagaa, and Songhay peoples. On this disc you get vocal music, drum groups, and some outstanding string and horn players. If you have any sort of interest in the banjo (and even if you don't) then you need this disc for track #8 alone. The kouco being one of the West African instruments that led to what became known as the banjo in the United States. If you're unfamiliar with the sound of pre-Mastertone banjo's, don't worry. This music will not strike you as twangy bluegrass music (in case that is not your thing). Most people are surprised at how rich and full the old gourd-resonator "banjos" sound. This track is incredible. I wish I knew of whole discs focusing on the African family (and indigenous styles) of drone-and-melody stringed instruments.

Let's also not forget the drum ensembles. So much of this cd just feels like going home, to me. Heavenly thunder is the best way I can describe these drum ensembles. Remember, all the music on this disc is of indigenous styles. Not your run-of-the-mill bass-and-keyboard Afro-pop. Indigenous musics are where it's at, and this is as good as it gets.

You really cannot go wrong with this cd. If you're the type of person to be looking for this sort of music to begin with, you will most certainly love this disc. I've had it since mid-late 2002 and it just keeps getting better.

This album is one of the greatest soukouss albums of all time and one that every fan of the genre is supposed to have in their collection. It was the last album the supergroup did before Diblo Dibala left. The only thing I hate about it is that it's too short-there's only 8 songs and the total playtime is about 40 minutes, and it leaves you crying for more. The music itself is the highly addictive up-tempo hip swinging super guitar kwassa-kwassa of the early 90's. I'm hooked.

well i like yondo, she is an insperation to me.
anywayz gurl continue to do yo thang and stop.

I done read the editor's review. I don't know nuthin about them 'rolling stones' but FARAFINA is some of the best music I have ever heard. I ponder their magic and how they do it.

The design of their lyrics for rhythm values is a big part of it. This is no cascade of African drumming folk exhibition. This is Upper Volta ROCK (unplugged). Sounds Wild, like "something coming from the other side of those trees!" Incredibly beautiful singing.

If hearing this music does not make you feel livelier and happier, then you need to go to a doctor, 'cause there is something bad wrong with you, cuz.

I done read the editor's review. I don't know nuthin about them 'rolling stones' but FARAFINA is some of the best music I have ever heard. I ponder their magic and how they do it.

The design of their lyrics for rhythm values is a big part of it. This is no cascade of African drumming folk exhibition. This is Upper Volta ROCK (unplugged). Sounds Wild, like "something coming from the other side of those trees!" Incredibly beautiful singing.

If hearing this music does not make you feel livelier and happier, then you need to go to a doctor, 'cause there is something bad wrong with you, cuz.

The Finest African Jazz is a mixture of the smooth sounds of jazz and the mighty movement of the African Continent. This music makes you want to sway and swing at the same time. You don't know whether to slow dance with your partner or cut a rug by yourself, but one thing is for sure, you know you have to move your body to the beat. The music has so much diversity that you can use it for your quite, candlelight moments or play it in the background as you entertain friends and family. This is a CD to enjoy over and over again. Personally, I love it!