Africa music reviews

Not only has this album, originally released in 1983, got an incredible beat that you will give you the reggae sensation through your body, Tosh also gives us the most incredible quotable lyrics such as on 'Stop That Train':
"All my life, I've been a lonely man
Trying to teach people who don't understand.
And even though I try my best
I still can't find no happiness, no happiness"
The words of the truth seeker and philosopher.
The album begins with deep spiritual ode to a return to Africa with Mama Africa
There is the catchy message in Glass Houses: " If you living in a glass house, don't throw stones. And if you can't take stones, well then don' throw stones"
The famous reggae rocker Johnny B Goode, the cynical 'Peace Treaty' referring to Tosh's take on Jamaican politics at the time, and the funky Maga Dog. And the rhythmic musing on "Feel No Way' about coming close to 'pay day'.
If reggae is your type of music, then you simply have to have this album

Another remastered masterpiece from one of the greatest reggae star in the world...highly recommended cd.

Mama Africa is an essential album to any reggae fan. Every track is a masterpiece. It's obvious that Tosh put his heart and soul into this album. A classic that will leave the listener breathless.

If Hugh Mundell had lived past, ironically, 1983, there's no telling what his legacy would be today. Africa Must Be Free By 1983 is simply one of the most remarkable debuts in the history of reggae, considering Mundell was only 16 when it was released. Guided by the adept hands of Augustus Pablo, he wrote and co-produced all of the songs on this powerful classic. The potent roots melodies and emotional vocals provided by this prodigy blend beautifully with the robust musical accompaniment from an all-star line-up (Robbie Shakespeare, Jacob Miller, Leroy Sibbles, Augustus Pablo, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Carlton "Santa" Davis, and more). While no one track is spectacular, practically all are solid, as they cohere in a prototypical "album album." Luckily for us listeners, when RAS re-released Africa Must Be Free in 1989, they threw in the equally strong dub version as well. Although Augustus Pablo's rockers sound runs throughout the dubs (Fans will certainly recognize the music in "Book of Life" and its dub from Jacob Miller's "Keep on Knocking."), he doesn't dominate them with his trademark melodica, allowing Mundell to retain his identity. Some of the dubs are better than the vocal versions (the dubs of "Jah Will Provide," "Run Revolution a Come," and "Day of Judgement," for example), while a few of the vocal tracks are preferable ("My Mind" and "Africa Must Be Free By 1983"). If you're like me, the track listing of the dub versions may cause some confusion. Either Mundell named the dubs with the intention to confuse, or the track listing is simply wrong (I vote for the latter.), assuming that "Unity Dub" is supposed to be the title of the dub of "Let's All Unite," "Africa Dub" is supposed to be the dub of "Africa Must Be Free By 1983," "My Mind Dub" is supposed to be the dub of "My Mind," etc. I list below under "Track Listing" how the songs are listed on the album, but track #9 is actually the dub of "Jah Will Provide" (whatever the title is), #10 is the dub of "Book of Life" (ditto), #11 is "Revolution Dub," #12 is "Judgement Dub," #13 is, um, I'm not sure, #14 is "Unity Dub," #15 is "My Mind Dub," #16 is "Africa Dub," and #17 is again a mystery. I don't think that tracks 13 and 17 are dubs of anything on Africa Must Be Free; neither sound like "Why Do Black Men Fuss and Fight," the only track without a dub here. To confuse matters, there is an extra dub (9 dubs, 8 vocal tracks). Anyway, in the end, all that really matters is that it's all good, whatever the order. Great music, great lyrics, great message, JAH RASTAFARI!!!!!

This album is a true dUb masterpiece. Personally, I prefer the dub version, but the vocal tracks are all solid as well. True RASTA thoughts and vibrations. Produced by Augustus Pablo himself (The Most High King Haile Selassie I is given production credit on the album sleeve as well!!), it comes on with wicked, DEEP vibes that no one with any reason can deny. Prince Jammy serves as the enigneer on this one as well. This album was layed down in the mid-70's. Several of the tracks were cut at the infamous Black Ark Studio of Mr. Lee Perry fame. The photo of Augustus and the crew passing the chalice around on the back is great. Augustus Pablo was a true Genius and I say this with NO hesitation whatsoever. If you're interested in true, pure to the core, deep, underground ROOTS dub reggage BUY this. I also recommend anything A. Pablo did in the 70's and VERY early 80's. Get your head RIGHT and groove to these heavenly streams of melody...BIG up ROCKERS PRODUCTIONS. Needless to say, 5 stars.

Hugh Mundell captures the tru essence of what the rastafari is about. this album is deep and tru. Hugh's voice explodes with passion in every song. one must have an understanding of the rastafarian to really interpret this album, but it is enjoyable to all levels, very mellow and chill. "why do black man fuss and fight" and "jah will provide" are ultimate examples of Mundell's talent. His voice is a one of a kind that once heard, will not be forgotten. this album is a must have for anyone who enjoys roots reggae and for those who want to understand what the rastafari is all about....

This CD has so many haunting melodies. It can take you to another place, a place you want to be. It is soothing and stimulates a warm happy feeling at the same time. It almost sounds like something from another time, a simpler time. Beautiful music, frustrating to try to put to words, but really fine music.

This paricular African album is very easy to get into and enjoy. You don't have to think about it. The voices and music are great. Fun and gorgeous.

Baaba Maal's voice is a unique treasure ... I have never heard anything like it... there is a metallic sheen about it that is so haunting, you can never forget it.

This is Baaba Maal's BEST album, by far, and I have heard almost every album by him. It is hard to remember an album in which I have liked every song. Maal sticks to his Fulani roots in this album, something he doesn't do in his other (and later) albums, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Most people know Maal from his collaboration with the Screaming Orphans (Sinead O'Connor's backup band), with the result being the famous song, "Souka Naayo" ("I will follow you") and, while that song is very pretty, these songs touch something deep within you. My favorite song is "Salminaanam," but there are about five or six songs that are exceptional..."Muudo Hormo" and "Lam Tooro" come to mind immmediately.

I enjoy this cd, but I don't love it. It's a pleasant listening experience, but there is no song on it that I would classify as among my all-time favorites.
N'Dour has a wonderful voice, well worth getting to know, and the quality of the playing is excellent. However, I believe that most people from Western countries who would buy this album are intrigued by music from Africa and want to try something different. Therefore it is the very fact that this album sounds quite a bit like Western pop that bothers me. I wish that the, to me, exotic African elements were more to the fore, and the everyday pop elements were less evident. If you also are interested in this singer because you want to listen to something out of the ordinary, I would suggest you buy instead a cd by Cheikh Lo, who is also from Senegal. Lo's music is more obviously unusual, and yet very beautiful. One of N'Dour's less Westernized albums would also be more appropriate.

I like African music, but I won't recommend every album to my friends. A musician like Franco is maybe too difficult to enjoy. This album by Youssou N'Dour is great music and has enough connections with our European ears (is that English?). Seven seconds is a all time high

I purchased this CD several years ago. I'd never heard N'Dour before then, but was intrigued by peter Gabriel's statement that N'Dour was the best vocalist alive. I shy away from absolute statements like the previous, but agree whole heartedly that Youssou N'Dour is ONE of the world's best singers. His vocal range may not immediately attract your attention, but repeated listens will surprise and satisfy many close listens. The duet with Nenah Cherry is one of the best songs recorded in the '90s. The social message positive, the groove eminently danceable, and the melody uplifting. The violin solo works! The other songs are less exceptional than 7 Seconds, but the message of hope and joy in life consistent (n.b How You Are). For all lovers of music which marries traditional sounds and instruments with modern recording values and styles. Admittedly, my love of 7 Seconds makes this CD a must have in my books, regardless of relative quality of the other tunes.

I got this in the 80s in the wake of Simon's "Graceland." This is probably the best known collection of this kind in America. Overall, it's not a bad set, but there are better collections of this kind for the intiate of S/A music. These selections lack the proper mix of rhythm and melody to hook you the first time around. But Township Jive (S/A's equivalent to reggae and R&B), while an acquired taste that never caught on in the US as it should have, has excellent collections such as "Rhythm of Resistance," "Rough Guide to S/A Music," "Rough Guide to S/A Jazz," "Kings and Queens of Township Jive," etc. Try those first, then ork your way back to this one.

I have listened to this album since the 80's & it continues to be a true classic from its time in history. If you like upbeat danceable worldbeat music YOU WILL LOVE this music. Peace & Enjoy , Stephan

Arguably one of the most monumental collection of world music ever recorded paints a sound scope of Soweto heritage so profoundly moving, it will make you weep. It soars and swirls and educates and dances within realms of diversity and poetry. The artists range in style and dialect, sketching a portrait of historic musical significance. Hearing such a tapestry, one could understand why Paul Simon explored [and Sting and Peter Gabriel exploited] his own pop aesthetic. At the risk of hyperbole mixed in for dramatic effect/affect, I will state that this album is a wonder to behold - an absolute must own for any human being who cares one iota about what music could/should/would be. Or what music is. My grade: A+

I never heard a black African man sing such clear white music. Is this supposed to be reggae? Is this supposed to be black? Listen close, listen twice if you really need to, there is nothing reggae, nothing black, nothing authentic about this music. Yes, authenticity is what good music is all about. Unfortunately, nothing, absolutely nothing of that is found here. I like my reggae black and strong. There's way too much milk and sugar here, and it doesn't even contain cafein. What a fake! What a fake! What a f***ing fake! Sorry for those who like this stuff, but please don't play this CD when I'm around, I could get really pissed off!

I Love You Lucky cause you know what you're singing about, and if you get this Cd you'll know too. Every time I can't find it I most buy a new one :) Get one and get hooked. Lucky is the best drug on the market, and it's healthy too. Come on everybody let's get Lucky and have some fun.

I Love You Lucky ause you know what you're singing about, and if you get this Cd you'll know too. Every time I can't find it I most buy a new one :) Get one and get hooked

Yes this is one of the best, if not THE best, of Felas recordings. Why then have I only given it one star? For the simple reason that this Terrascape CD is, unless they have corrected their blunder, an absolute travesty. Why? Because, at least on my copy, purchased some 6 years ago, every single sax solo has been virtually eliminated from the mix. You can still here it way off in the distance but this, and I have the original vinyl to compare with, is NOT the original mix. I have played this CD on many different systems and the fault is definitely there. Be very careful before you buy this CD.

Thus Fela introduces the opening track on this album, and from there on, it becomes exceedingly clear what he came into the room for. It was to funk you right into outerspace.

I could explain every track and all the elements and all that mess, but I'm going to keep this simple: If you want to know what funk is, Fela will show you.

Ginger Baker's drumming integrates PERECTLY with the band. You would swear they've been playing together for decades. And he really does manage to display immense virtuosity (on Track 2), but in service to the groove and only in ways that make the music better.

Enough about him though, this is Fela's record. Fela and his band are in top form here. The best rhythms this side of James Brown. The msuic has a lot of drive, and a lot of heart.

Yes this is one of the best, if not THE best, of Felas recordings. Why then have I only given it one star? For the simple reason that this Terrascape CD is, unless they have corrected their blunder, an absolute travesty. Why? Because, at least on my copy, purchased some 6 years ago, every single sax solo has been virtually eliminated from the mix. You can still here it way off in the distance but this, and I have the original vinyl to compare with, is NOT the original mix. I have played this CD on many different systems and the fault is definitely there. Be very careful before you buy this CD.

Thus Fela introduces the opening track on this album, and from there on, it becomes exceedingly clear what he came into the room for. It was to funk you right into outerspace.

I could explain every track and all the elements and all that mess, but I'm going to keep this simple: If you want to know what funk is, Fela will show you.

Ginger Baker's drumming integrates PERECTLY with the band. You would swear they've been playing together for decades. And he really does manage to display immense virtuosity (on Track 2), but in service to the groove and only in ways that make the music better.

Enough about him though, this is Fela's record. Fela and his band are in top form here. The best rhythms this side of James Brown. The msuic has a lot of drive, and a lot of heart.

I recently heard Youssou N'dour on an NPR broadcast of a recorded live performace at Carnegie Hall. I was like wow. This man and his band are great. Great vocals, and great percusssion, and just super. So imagine my disappointment with this album, which completely lacks the qualities which drew me to the N'dour sound. My chief complaint is that the tracks are highly synthesized, lacking naturalness. He has orchestral segments (again synthesized) that are in disharmony with the Senegalese sound. The music is almost always on high volume and often at high speed. And I'm sorry to say there are moments when N'dours voice grates. What this guy needs to do is capture that Carnegie performance on disc. If you're in search of a more natural Sengalese sound with smooth vocals, try Cheik Lo's "Ne La Thiass" (produced by N'dour). I rate "Ne La Thiass" 4.5 out of 5 stars.

you are only going to get one album by Youssou, this should be it. But, thats like eating one potato chip...

you are only going to get one album by Youssou, this should be it. But, thats like eating one potato chip...

I recently heard Youssou N'dour on an NPR broadcast of a recorded live performace at Carnegie Hall. I was like wow. This man and his band are great. Great vocals, and great percusssion, and just super. So imagine my disappointment with this album, which completely lacks the qualities which drew me to the N'dour sound. My chief complaint is that the tracks are highly synthesized, lacking naturalness. He has orchestral segments (again synthesized) that are in disharmony with the Senegalese sound. The music is almost always on high volume and often at high speed. And I'm sorry to say there are moments when N'dours voice grates. What this guy needs to do is capture that Carnegie performance on disc. If you're in search of a more natural Sengalese sound with smooth vocals, try Cheik Lo's "Ne La Thiass" (produced by N'dour). I rate "Ne La Thiass" 4.5 out of 5 stars.

you are only going to get one album by Youssou, this should be it. But, thats like eating one potato chip...

you are only going to get one album by Youssou, this should be it. But, thats like eating one potato chip...