Africa music reviews

This CD changed my life. I found it in a bargain bin with no idea what it was i bought it on a whim. It led me down a whole new path in my life, including a degree in ethnomusicology. After hunting for years since, I have still never found a CD quite as sublime as this perfect record date. I have made so many people from so many diverse backgrounds and tastes literally get up on an end table or sofa back and dance like fools. I really am serious. Met Samba at one point in central illinois while he was touring the US , and he is a sweet open person, somewhat confused that this kid from IL was singing along through the show in Lingala without understanding a thing i was saying. Buy it new. I bet you make more money than Samba if you are surfing here. He deserves more.

IF you have no idea what this is I can tell you it will be hard not to love. The minute I heard this it immediately became a dear favorite. I have the vinyl which I am including in my dance-set.

This cd celebrates their 20 years of making music. It is all acoustic and the songs are for the most part joyful, energetic and infectious and is one of my favorites. Listen for yourself and decide, I think it's a wonderful album.

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Vusi Mahlasela is a folk music hero in South Africa and this is one of his classic albums, released in 1994. He sings in English, Sotho and Zulu assisted by some of the country's greatest musicians like the Soweto String Quartet, Victor Msondo on bass, Ian Herman on drums and percussion, Louis Mhlanga on lead and rhythm guitar, Bruce Cassidy on trumpet, Lloyd Ross on mandolin and guitar and Lloyd Martin on additional percussion. The beautiful backing vocals are by Caroline and Thandi Masemola, Gloria Bosman and Constance Mahlo.

What really makes the music, though, is Vusi's beautiful voice, the sincerity and the soul therein, plus the incredibly beautiful melodies. This is especially evident in the uptempo and inspiring (Tshimong Ya) Ntate Mahlasela with its lilting rhythms and enjoyable instrumental flourishes. Ubuhle Bomhlaba is a sad anthemic song where his voice and the guitars expertly complement one another.

Track four, Tontobane, is a lovely galloping tune with buoyant rhythms and addictive chorus, very close in style to South African township pop of the seventies. Basimanyane makes use of traditional African vocal techniques, Two Birds is a soaring folk song with powerful acoustic gitar, while Yithi Masotsha is a bubbly pop song sung in English with breathtaking female vocals in the same style as the splendid vocal work of the Gaza Sisters on Paul Simon's brilliant Graceland album.

Nqondo Phumula has a spacey feel with atmospheric male backing vocals and joyful guitar breaks, whilst the title track, sung in English, is a gentle but powerful and soulful plea for harmony and forgiveness, one of Mahlasela's most moving songs and a fitting conclusion to this remarkable album with its joyful, sad and spiritually appealing songs. If you like Paul Simon's Graceland, you'll love this album.

Namu Lwanga has proven that she is an entertainer who gets better with time with her latest release Woman of Africa. This CD represents Ms. Lwnaga's diversity as well as her various musical influences which include rhythm and blues ("Erya Linonya"), zouk ("Sisitira" and "Kabeibere"), and reggae ("You Drive Me Crazy"). The lyrics of the title track "Woman of Africa" proclaim the physical beauty of the African woman as well as her strength and courage in times of adversity. The background music is reminiscent of a traditional song from Western Uganda and is intertwined with a reggae beat. In "Iden" and "Nsangi" once again Namu uses her background in the traditional music of Uganda (Northern and Central Uganda, respectively) which are combined with soukous rhythms that are sure to get you off your feet and onto the dance floor. No matter your musical taste, Namu has catered to it on this must-have CD.

M.Kiganda

This music is a celebration of womenhood. It transcends any cultural barriers that we may place around one another. Reminding women that we are all one.The pains and pleasures of our love have no racial or ethnic fences. It reminds all of us that our emotions are the fiber that unite our lives. The amazing range that these beautiful queens can voice will send your heart to a happy place. The song themes are as contemporary now as they were when this was recorded. This is a classic of African music, and these singers can be compared to the divas from the United States such as Aretha Franklin,or Diana Ross. Definitely a good pick for anyone who is down to earth and can appreciate goodness and beauty.

Khadja Nin is from Burundi and currently based in Belgium. This cd contains a variety of different styles, from the Sade-like songs "Sambolera" and "Sous le charme", to a couple of straight ahead African dance tunes, to a samba tune, to a few tunes that I hestiate to categorize. All of it very catchy, but not annoying after the 5th or 6th listen like so much American pop. Most of the songs are in Kiswahili, with a few in French and one in Portuguese. A great album for anyone interested in African pop who wants an introduction to different styles - actually a great album for anyone who likes good pop tunes of any sort.

Khadja Nin has the capacity to build songs, often to transcendental heights with sweeping vocals and a sense of landscape. Her voice is awesome in its underlying dreamy melancholia, and it is also very rooted; yet it soars brilliantly... I got this album soon after it was released and I still listen to it regularly and it is always, always an absolute delight.

Khadja Nin has a vibrant, fluid sound and powerful, sultry style. The voice, band & lyrics all work together to create beautiful music. Highly recommended. Enjoy.