Africa music reviews

Songs Swahili Sing is a contender for the very best of the "Original Music" releases. For anyone interested in where authentic traditions of world music collide, this disc is paradise. Rich African voices, the influemce of the cairo scene as well as wafts of India peek through the songs this collage of artists. This cd introduced me to taraab music and I have never found a sample so amazing since. Ethnomusicologist John Storm Roberts brings us this amazing treat. OF THE HIGHEST ORDER!!

LIKE I SAID , THE ARTISTS JUST BRING OUT THE EMOTIONS IN YOU AND LEAVE YOU FEELING GREAT. THE LYRICS ARE JUST OUTSTANDING AND ONE OF THE BEST TAARAB COMPILATIONS I'VE HEARD SO FAR. KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!

Seleshe Demassae and the children from local villages bring this CD alive! Absolutely a MUST have for anyone with Ethiopian children or an interest in Ethiopian culture. I enjoy it as much as my kids do....

This CD is without a doubt a great North American debut for Amadou & Mariam. They may not be able to see but you should hear this amazing mix of pop, blues and spectacular musicianship. A must for anyone who wants to include the cutting edge of the blues and it is from Africa. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE. Have played this on my weekly radio show of African Music. As well as their follow up CD Tje Ni Mousso.

This CD is a really interesting work! The sound of this talented duo stays true to its African origin so much that (with few exceptions) it cannot aptly be described as a "fusion". Rather, this is the sound of modern African music...true to its own rhythm and style.

There is even a deference to African languages with only a few songs sung in French, the rest performed in their native tongue--a bold move for a group hoping to appeal to an audience outside Mali. Even so, it works! This CD is a must-have for lovers of African music or for those with an ear for the exotic.

The first song, Me Bowa Ya by Mekongo from Cameroun, is a mid-tempo number with a bubbly beat and an enchanting mix of African and French vocals. The main lyric is in the African language and the chorus is in French, and it works so well.

Massoua Mo by Eba Aka Jerome from Ivory Coast is next, and this one has a long instrumental intro before the male vocal enters the mix. This single vocal is boosted by a chorus of many voices in certain parts while the string instruments become ever more engaging. Quite a stunner!

The next country is Upper Volta: the song Dounougnan by Kambou Clement has a lilting texture, intricate instrumental interplay and a soulful vocal with a spiritual undertone. Bo Mbanda by Pablo from Zaire is a beautiful melodious ballad full of yearning with absolutely breathtaking guitar parts and interesting vocal twists and turns.

The style changes drastically with Jalo by Etoile de Dakar from Senegal. This is a slow, mournful dirge with a Middle Eastern feel, soulful vocals and instrumentation dominated by what sounds like an organ. It sounds like a prayer set to music and is most compelling and memorable. The album concludes with Moboma, an uplifting slice of vocal pop by Menga Mokombi from Congo.

These unforgettable songs are all tuneful, catchy and rhythmically gripping. They demonstrate the opulent richness and variety of the African pop music of the early 1980s. I also strongly recommend Sounds d'Afrique vol. 2 for more of these wonderful African sounds from the early 1980s.

Bought this in 1981 when it first came out and still haven't found an afro compilation that tops it. With a mainly soukous focus and to my mind better than Sound D'Afrique 2 this was THE album that introduced African sounds to the english speaking world. I'm looking to get this on cd if at all possible as my vinyl version is all but worn out.

If you find a copy buy it!

This opulent album opens with Dede Priscilla by Lea Lignanzi from Central Africa Republic, a most rhythmic and hypnotic lilting number with French exhortations to dance scattered in between the lovely sounds of the African language. The next number is by Mensy from Cameroun, somewhat more subdued than the previous, but equally hypnotic and engaging in its rhythmic textures.

Bolingo Mobesu by Vonga Aye from Zaire is a real sizzler with its soulful female vocal, male backing vocals and pulsating beats. Absolutely brilliant and ideal for the dancefloor. The next country is Mali, whence comes Menebo Nden by Moussa Doumbia. This one opens with wailing a capella vocals before the buoyant rhythms come in. It also contains the most beautiful instrumental flourishes and has an overall Middle Eastern flavour, especially in the vocal patterns.

The melodious Madeleina by Pablo Lubadika Porthos from Zaire is next, a flowing love ballad with a bittersweet feel. Then comes Jeff Louna from Congo with Paulina Mineure, a mid-tempo number that sounds the closest to a Western pop ballad. The album concludes with Yoyoyo by Asi Kapela from Zaire. Halfway through there is an interesting rhythmic break before all the instruments return in full force.

Every track on this gorgeous compilation is a pleasure to listen to. The songs are tuneful and most are highly uplifting and joyful. Please also investigate Volume I of Sounds d'Afrique, although I personally like this album more. Together these two albums demonstrate the richness and variety of African pop music in the early 1980s.

I am so glad to find this again. My vinyl version got broken in a move. This is wonderful upbeat music that will make you feel good to be alive. I love it when I find a lost treasure like this.

This album, and its companion album Sound D'Afrique vol.1, are great compilations of early African pop - mostly, but not exclusively, Soukous. Originally put out by Island records in the early 80's, this infectious dance music has vocals of great expressive feeling along with snappy horn sections and churning rhythms (as well as the intertwinning guitar parts we have come to expect from this music. Dare ya not to dance!

Es un cd de muy buen sonido , realista y de una muy buena duracion , perfecto para ambientar una fiesta , un restaurant , una obra teatral o simplemente para relajacion.

I am the dining room manager of a private country club and one of the ladies golf groups was having a guest day with an African Safari theme. The woman in charge was very nervous and needed everything PERFECT! She mentioned she wanted some "soundeffects" playing in the background and I told her I could find something. I didn't know I'd find something that fit her thoughts "to a tee!". The party was a success and many people mentioned the CD and asked where I found it. I never thought I'd find anything without music behind it but I'm keeping this series in mind for events to come. The warthogs were my favorite!

This album has everthing - cool jazz sounds, wild jungle beats and contemporary tempos.

A must for everyone who has an eclectic taste in music.

Five stars isn't enough!

JJM

Sheikha Remitti, after listening to her album, this album, has changed the way I look at modern Rai music. Modern Rai is all about copying the old stuff and root and fooling around with some guitars, bass and production effects.. Khaled has proven pioneer in that.. but who gives a goddamn hoot or credit to the people who first created those compositions and inspiration ? none,, none of those new singers on top of which is Khaled have given credit to Sheikha Remitti. This is outrageous ! Please listen to this album, it will show you this cool scotch like voice of Remitti but so powerfull, so old, so vaccined with morality and honesty. Rabbi m3ak a Remitti ! laytawwallak fla3mer alalla. Fi Khater Hmida dyal Paris!

It is a fantastic piece from a master poet of international status. Not just the good lyrics but the words. The album is more moving if understand the language.

Many years ago i have seen Adioa live as a opening act of one of the top bands. They just blew them off the stage, i don't even remember the name of the band anymore. That was one of the most memorable concerts i have ever been. The next day i got the CD (with difficulties as many others who were at that concert got the same idea appearantly).
Funny thing was that a few years later i worked in a dead end job for a few months with one Senegalese bloke who has played with Adioa in the underground stations in paris before they had the opportunity to go on tour. He said that Adioa made a few recordings before that record but unfortunately i could not get my hands on them yet.
A rootsy reggae, political, with a very clear african feel. over the years it is one of my most played CD's.