Africa music reviews

D'Gary is a guitar prodigy from Madagascar who was brought to the world's notice in the Kaiser-Lindley "World Out of Time" CD series. Here his band Jih� adds some fine vocalists and dance beats to D'Gary's lightning-quick acoustic runs. D'Gary's voice has a hoarse quality to it, but the group vocals (especially from Irma Ratazanina) are excellent. "Mihasy Lonaky", "Miady Mafy", "Milamina", and "Zay Gny Raha" are all highlights. D'Gary plays solo on "Mpiarak' Andro" and the instrumental "Lagnana". This is one of the best CDs of Madagascar music ever released in the US. Jih�'s big sound packs a wallop, making this a far more accessible album for a wide audience than D'Gary's solo albums. I recommend this album without reservation. If you have any interest or curiosity in Madagascar music, grab this album immediately. The only disappointment is that there haven't been any more Jih� albums since this 1995 effort.

D'Gary is a guitar prodigy from Madagascar who was brought to the world's notice in the Kaiser-Lindley "World Out of Time" CD series. Here his band Jih� adds some fine vocalists and dance beats to D'Gary's lightning-quick acoustic runs. D'Gary's voice has a hoarse quality to it, but the group vocals (especially from Irma Ratazanina) are excellent. "Mihasy Lonaky", "Miady Mafy", "Milamina", and "Zay Gny Raha" are all highlights. D'Gary plays solo on "Mpiarak' Andro" and the instrumental "Lagnana". This is one of the best CDs of Madagascar music ever released in the US. Jih�'s big sound packs a wallop, making this a far more accessible album for a wide audience than D'Gary's solo albums. I recommend this album without reservation. If you have any interest or curiosity in Madagascar music, grab this album immediately. The only disappointment is that there haven't been any more Jih� albums since this 1995 effort.

This CD featuring Rich Reiter on sax and flute and Josh Rubin on guitar is an excellent fusion CD combining Afro-cuban ryhtms with traditional jazz fusion melodies. Great solos provided by all of the musicians. Overall excellent CD that fusion enthusiasts, as well as anybody who else who likes good music, would enjoy.

Each of these LPs is quite strong on its own. This material is from Fela's mid-70's period, when the guitars were massing and providing great continuum in many of the songs, and his music was deeply funky. But you'll also hear great, perfect horn arrangements on some tracks here.

"Ikoyi Blindness/Kalakuta Show" is another gem in the Fela two-albums-on-one-CD reissue series on MCA. Both original LPs, "Ikoyi Blindness" and its b-side "Gba Mi Leti Ki N'Dolowo (Slap Me Make I Get Money)," and "Kalakuta Show" and its b-side "Don't Make Garan Garan," were issued in 1976. These albums were part of what was arguably Fela's greatest period as he released more than a dozen albums between 1975-77! While "Zombie" and "Opposite People" are clearly the essential recordings from this period, this disc, and all of the Fela reissues, are really indispensable.

This one by the Congos is seldom heard, but it has great songs, great singing and great playing. The sound is more polished-up and accessible than what you will hear on the album _Heart of the Congos_, which gets such good press. Still, you'll enjoy a solid roots sound with Cedric Myton's high vocal leading the way. It has been one of my favorites since I bought the LP in 1986.

I just want to say this is some of the happiest, most uplifting music I've ever heard. The best African music can really brighten up your day when it's this good. I suffer from depression and my mood has improved since I got into afro-pop.

This is much more rootsy and authentically African than some of Youssou's more recent "pop" releases. The rhythms are big and beautiful and there are many singers along for the ride that create a big chorus sound. I don't know what they're singing about - for me it's all about the sweet feeling of joy flowing through me.

Whenever I listen to Youssou N'Dour's music, which is often, I feel a celebratory joy, and the music on IMMIGRES is no exception. Although the CD contains only four tracks, the total length is about thirty-five exciting minutes of pure, smooth, natural N'Dour.

According to the case insert, N'Dour released IMMIGRES in France in 1984, when he was first noticed in Europe. This particular CD, however, is copyrighted by Virgin Records, 1988. Despite this early publication, the reproduction quality is high-caliber and consistent, sharp and clean.

Three of the four tracks are upbeat; the tempo of "Pitche Mi," written by Kabou Gueye, is more moderate and soothing. The final "Badou," which appears on at least one other N'Dour CD, most strongly "feels" like the artist, with his easily recognizable blend of voice and instruments, rhythm and rhyme.

As with all Youssou N'Dour productions that I have had the pleasure of enjoying, IMMIGRES flows well within itself as well as with his other works. Despite many of the themes and lyrics, his music is a celebration of life to be shared.

I just want to say this is some of the happiest, most uplifting music I've heard. African music can really brighten up your day when it's this good. I suffer from depression and my mood has improved since I got into afro-pop.

This is more rootsy and authentically African than some of Youssou's more recent "pop" releases. The rhythms are big and beautiful and there are many singers along for the ride that create a big chorus sound. I don't know what they're singing about - for me it's all about the sweet feeling of joy flowing through me.

This is a great, enjoyable album with its 4 tracks and 34 minutes playing time. "Immigres" starts with rather slow tempo and culminates in the fast and catchy finale. "Pitche Mi" is in the soundtrack of a Senegalise short movie called PICC MI (little bird). It is catchy and a little bit sad, so sit back and listen. "Taaw" is a very energetic song with drums that won't let me go for 12 minutes! It gets faster and faster... here and there some extra stimuli...great! You can cool off with "Badou". Compared to Youssou's newer releases, I notice that the recording is older but that's insignificant when I think of the wonderful music.

I just loved listening to this fantastic album. It was so soothing
and sensual all at the same time. I had heard and love music by Alice Mtwalo and Tammy Dhana before so when I saw their names on this album I had to get it......and I was not disappointed!!!! Alice has written a song about 9/11 that was just beautiful. Impressions of Africa is a wonderfully touching album. I listen to it on my crazy commute to and from the city and it keeps me calm. I also listen to it at home.

One listen and I'm hooked to this soft, sensual variety of beats, instruments and voices. They'll get into your head... and then your shoulders, hips. You'll gently sway, joining this community of laid-back happiness. This music is imminently listenable ... never redundant. Each song provides a beautiful insight to the soft sounds, rhythms, spirit of this beautiful country rediscovering itself. This music is lilting, pretty, soothing, primitive, a perfect combination of 'new age' sounds of nature with the 21st century experience of jazz and 'rhythm and blues'. The vocal selections are particularly interesting and romantic. I'm addicted!

A wonderful, smooth, rhythmic, inspiring insight into the African soul.
Rolf

The chant Shosholoza has haunted me since viewing a performance in the movie Dingaka many many years ago. I was thrilled to find it included here (and also on the equally enjoyable Gumboots soundtrack CD) and it's just as inspiring as I remembered it. Better still, every track is enjoyable. I've been disappointed by other excursions into World Music, but this is a pleasure through and through. The African language tracks are very soothing in a vibrant upbeat way, and the English language cuts I'll Take You There, Oh Happy Day, etc are very nicely done. If you like World Music but are unfamiliar with this group, give it a try. I took a chance on this, and also on Classic Tracks by the same group, and both are outstanding. I look forward to collecting the rest of their ouevre, as fast as my budget will allow.

This CD combines South African beat and language with jazzy and moody melody. Ladysmith hits it right off with "Once in a Blue Moon" and keeps you humming along with "Shosholoza" and "O Happy Day". This music is a delight to listen to and gives the listener a picture of the beauty of South Africa and its people.