Africa music reviews

Faudel is one of rai's brightest stars, but in this first CD, he only partially succeeds; a partial success from Faudel however is probably better than the best from many singers. He has an excellent voice, and in these songs sounds youthful and sweet, and not what one usually associates with rai music. He tends to sing in a higher register than he does in his subsequent albums, and his voice does not have the colorations and mature musicality that it has on his 2nd effort, "Samra".

Favorite tracks: "Omri": A flamenco flavored number with terrific guitar work.
"Abadou": Faudel sings in a throatier voice on this track and sounds great, and the song has the feel of a more traditional Arabic melody.
"N'Sel Fik": Here Faudel is joined by Samira Cherraj for a rousing version of the song made a hit by the duo of Fadela and Sahraoui; this track is terrific and "real rai", with no "pop" sugarcoating.
Faudel fans will also like his hit "Tellement n'Brick", which is given a second "hip hop" version on track 12, and the title song is given an "oriental" version on track 13.
If you're looking for an authentic sounding rai CD, you will only like "N'Sel Fik", if you're a devoted Faudel fan, you'll enjoy it.
Sung in a mix of Arabic and French, the sound is good, and total time is 57'58.

Baida is excellent album from Faudel that spotlights this young singer's exceptional talent. The CD is fused with Arabic rhythms, North African beats, French lyrics, R&B, pop, and a host of other musical stylings. This has got to be one of the best CDs that represent rai music.

"Anti" opens the album with an upbeat tempo and is followed by the uplifting "Eray." "Tellement n'Brick" is Faudel's breakthrough French single that best highlights his talent. "Dis-moi" is a political outpouring expressing the frustrations of the beur generation in France. "Omri" is yet another great song with Spanish influence sung entirely in Arabic. "La valse" is not a high-point and "Baida" is another generally good song. "Miskin" is an up-tempo song that is almost reminiscent of Culture Club beat fused with Indian rhythms. "Abadou" is a slow yet soothing piece and "N'Sel Fik" is a fast beat duo with a girl. "Ma vie" is yet another take on frustrations of the beurs. The remix for "Tellement n'Brick" was really unnecessary and very inferior to the original track. Yet the remix for Baida is better orchestrated on the final track remix.

The fusion of the all the different sounds is very innovative and it is what makes the opus truly groundbreaking. This is a must have for anyone who needs a little flavor in his music collection.

Our western aproach to music is very different than eastern ways, sometimes even when you are not understanding a damn thing what singers are saying, you can feel that they are so close to true emotions and that they are really bare souls searching for non-terrestrial comunication.
Fortunately once Khaled passes away, we'll have another "chosen one" among us, and it's this boy.
The first time I listened to the tittle song, I felt so vulnerable that I was even ashamed of myself.
Buy this cd and prepare yourself for a sublime experience, half of it it's a bit edgy since he mixes hip-hop, techno-pop and other western styles with rai (now an essence within the style) but the other songs are so great that you will never regret.

I bought this cd specifically to use in my Mali-Burkina Faso slide show based on a recent trip. However, since there is something in the cd that prevents the slide show from playing the music on the cd. (??copy block software), I am unable to use it for this purpose. I have used other music cds in the past to enhance my slide shows without problems. This limitation should be made clear BEFORE the purchase is made since open cds are not returnable.

I was browsing the international section at the local book store, and I just bought niafunke only after hearing the first three songs. I then bought In the Heart of the Moon, which I have to say is equal to or better than niafunke, because of tumani. I have never wanted to try to emulate an artists sound when I make my own music, but after listening to Ali's music I have tried to capture his sound mixed with my own and have created my first song that has been majorly influenced by one artist. i highly recommend diverse international music. Ali Farka Toure is one you need to have.

Ali's throwback to traditional Malian style was a good idea. This guy's guitar style is really cool and perfetly accompanies his tired sounding, yet energetic chanting. Standout tracks are 1,4,5,7, and 10.

I was the biggest fan in america of the USA for Africa group. I had heard about them and figured the album would be great. There had to be a great deal of excitement when you had the talent of Michael Jackson, the Pointer Sisters, Steve Perry, Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen on the same track. Well, something happened on the way to heaven. Dan Akroyd absolutely steals the show on this album. I remember seeing the "We are the world" video and being blown away by Akroyd's performance in the video. I knew he was funny, but he was just on his game on this album. Bravo sir Dan!

I remember being moved by the whole USA for Africa experience and put together a benefit album called, "East Douglas county for North Omaha". What an all star lineup. You had me on vocals along with Kevin Seitzer, Kroll, Meat, Jeff Benson and Julie Powers. Burns played the most gutwrenching keyboard riff ever heard on an album and members of meat's family piped in some truly old school polka. It was a great song for a great cause. We raised $3.78 for North Omaha. We made a difference.

I was 8 when this album came out. My parents have it on tape and we used to listen to this all the time. I would like to get the CD because the tape is starting to go. I remember watching the video segement and the making of it because we have it on video somewhere. It was for a great charity and needs to be released again. The singers of today should record it again and do it for charity.

First of all: DON'T buy this CD just for the title song (Unless you need it for a special project) AND, don't buy it to help starving people in Africa. That boat sailed a long time back. For some reason, this CD has been Out Of Print for ages, so the proceeds will go to the reseller who has to charge a MINT for it because of its scarcity. So, WHY BUY IT? Bruce Springsteen, Steve Perry, Chicago, Tina Turner, Huey Lewis, Kenny Rogers, The Pointer Sisters and Prince. If you're a fan of any of those artists: the extra songs unique to the collection are among the best they've done. They're all superstars trying to one up each other. So, they're great. Each song could have been (and should have been) a hit single. Bruce Springsteen's first official (non seasonal) live release with the E Street Band "Trapped" is a great take on a Jimmy Cliff song. I can't get the tune out of my head. Steve Perry's contribution blows away his solo hit as well as most Journey tunes. Tina Turner, Kenny Rogers, Huey Lewis & The News and The Pointer Sisters were all hot at the time too, and their tracks show it, too. We Are The World is a triumph of Quincy Jones and and an apparently still on top of his game, Michael Jackson, trying to squeeze the kitchen sink into one song. They did it, and it has worn out its welcome for most listeners, but all in all, this is a great collection anyway because We Are The Hits you haven't heard.

This is a very good example of world music; Oryema has integrity and his music is both fraught with feeling and charged with the masculine strength of African beats and rhythms. Perhaps no better example of this exists anywhere than in the opening track "The River," which offers gripping backup vocals and a powerful sense of place. The entire CD follows up well, particularly with the moving "Hard Labor" that touches effectively on the various walks of life in a damaged African society. An exile from Uganda, Oryema displays a greater sense of time and place than most Western musicians. this one is a hands-down winner, and I will be buying more of Oryema's work.

Like many of the reviewers I discovered G through a music sampler. Market Day was the song (also on this record). Oryema's voice really caught my ear with his awesome lows. There is a somber tone to most of his songs here, but they are very captivating and powerful in a empathetic way. You can feel the hurt/pain in his voice sometimes. Some songs are in English, others are in Acholi, which the book notes kindly translate. Though I only have this cd, I anxiously await the others I have already ordered! This guy has me hooked. I don't have a vast knowledge of contemporary African music, but I enjoy his mixture of traditional and modern sound/technology. I would recommend this CD to anyone who want ot hear something new and unique from the doldrums of the garbage the radio churns out on a daily basis.

You never forget your first one, right? This was my intro to Geoffrey Oryema and I loved the song, "The River" so much that it was several weeks before I could bring myself to play the others, all sublime. You can do it. Go for it.

This is a very good example of world music; Oryema has integrity and his music is both fraught with feeling and charged with the masculine strength of African beats and rhythms. Perhaps no better example of this exists anywhere than in the opening track "The River," which offers gripping backup vocals and a powerful sense of place. The entire CD follows up well, particularly with the moving "Hard Labor" that touches effectively on the various walks of life in a damaged African society. An exile from Uganda, Oryema displays a greater sense of time and place than most Western musicians. this one is a hands-down winner, and I will be buying more of Oryema's work.

Like many of the reviewers I discovered G through a music sampler. Market Day was the song (also on this record). Oryema's voice really caught my ear with his awesome lows. There is a somber tone to most of his songs here, but they are very captivating and powerful in a empathetic way. You can feel the hurt/pain in his voice sometimes. Some songs are in English, others are in Acholi, which the book notes kindly translate. Though I only have this cd, I anxiously await the others I have already ordered! This guy has me hooked. I don't have a vast knowledge of contemporary African music, but I enjoy his mixture of traditional and modern sound/technology. I would recommend this CD to anyone who want ot hear something new and unique from the doldrums of the garbage the radio churns out on a daily basis.

You never forget your first one, right? This was my intro to Geoffrey Oryema and I loved the song, "The River" so much that it was several weeks before I could bring myself to play the others, all sublime. You can do it. Go for it.

I adore Kidjo, recorded and in concert. Her previous CD's are among my favorite music of all time - vibrant, unique, melding diverse cultural rhythms and themes while still keeping her essential West African flair. This album, however, seems a too-obvious ploy to capture a Western audience. There are numerous songs in English, which is not bad in itself, except the lyrics are painfully trite. Much of what was elegant jazzy and bluesy strains on her previous work has been replaced by a funk sound that seems to have come straight out of a bad 80's black sitcom; much of the distinct West Africa quality is lacking as well. Do get her earlier work - Fifa, Aye, Logozo, for they are truly brilliant. This, however, is Kidjo light, less filling and less satisfying. Interestingly, this is the only Kidjo album with a monochrome cover. Even her photo - contrite, in Western dress and with her radically shaved head covered, telegraphs surrender. Maybe she's trying to tell us something. I recently copied all my Kidjo CD's to iTunes; well, almost all. I left this one on the shelf.

I never heard of Angelique Kidjo until I was invited to go to her show in Louisville, KY. I was totally blown away by her voice, her music, and her dancing ability. Her music is a blend of all types and she serves it up so well. I'm impressed and I love her music

excellent album to widen your musical horizons without worrying about buying something you'll dislike when you take a close listen. not only has this album withstood that test, but i've been walking around with the music in my head for the past week!! heck, my boss *and* our secretary *both* borrowed the CD because they liked the sound, and will probably buy copies of their own!

I put this on my 19month old daughter's Wish List for Christmas and we just listened to it today. She loved the animal sounds in the beginning and danced to some of the music. It's not something she'll sit down and just listen to as a storytime yet, but I think it will be a timeless addition to our CD collection. As an adult, I enjoyed listening to the stories and the music. A good buy for younger and older children as the music is very rythymic, but not too loud (I think my daughter would have liked it as an infant).

This album is a great hit with our toddler. Many, many nights she requests to listen to this CD as she goes to sleep. The rhythms are wonderful for young ears, she loves to sing the choruses with the children on the recording............it tickles me to see my daughter respond so positively to lyrics in a language foreign to her.

My 2 year old son LOVES music - all types. Laurie Berkner has been a fav for a while now. But this cd is DIFFERENT!! In a good way!!!!! It is simply beautiful and fun.

The release of Juluka's first album : "Universal Men" has to have been a defining moment in the history of world music, successfully blending white and black languages and music styles, whilst living in a system that struggled to keep the same cultures separated and alone.

By listening to this album alone, you won't get a balanced feel for the music of Juluka, however I don't believe this was intended to be a best of, but more like a compilation of lesser known tracks, including the beautiful "Deliwe" from period 79 to 84, songs that are not included in any other compilations.

A good companion for this album would be : " The Best of Juluka"
Even the two albums combined leave out a bunch of other excellent stuff like :- "Digging For Some Words" and "Kilamanjaro" and many others. The two albums together would just be an excellent introduction to Juluka, but...

I have to tell you, in case you've become hooked and frustrated at all the "out of stock" Juluka cd's, don't fret - with a little surfing, you will be happy to find ANY & EVERY Juluka, Savuka and Clegg CD there is, really easily and CHEAPLY from South Africa and also from other European countries, most notably France and Germany. Enjoy.

Wow. This was my first reaction to Johnny Clegg and Juluka. Wow. Ok, now that that's out of my system, I'll talk about the CD. Usually I am a big advocate of NOT buying compilations, but this is a really great one, especially becuase it's not always the easiest music to get your hands on. The wonderful company Putumayo has put together some of their very best songs for a very strong and moving CD. Favorites? Kwela Man, Akanaki Nokunaka (everyone at my house is into this song!), Deliwe (very powerful, sentimental but still raw and very unique), Work for All (very very cool); but then again, as I think of it, I love every song on here for different reasons. They are diverse enough to be fascinating, but similar enough to hold together a distinctive style.
THIS IS REAL MUSIC! That's what I think every time I listen to Johnny Clegg. WOW! The songs are exhilerating and true to South African roots, but innovative at the same time. For Juluka I would reccomend this compilation, although for Savuka I would say go ahead and buy individual albums. (By the way, Johnny Clegg and Savuka is AMAZING, different from Juluka but not TOO different, new and fascinating though!)
So, I hope that made some sense, as you can see I'm very excited about this underappreciated artist. Listen to this album or whatever you can get by him, dance to it, scream to it and laugh and sing along--whatever you do you won't regret it!

I love this album. It is my favorite album and I have played it for over 396 hours. Its playing now. I like the song 'Africa' most, although every one is a gem. It is a masterful and uplifting fusion of influences and styles.

This is Putumayo's first "Odyssey" album,surprisingly,it is still in print(!) It explores the acoustic side of Middle Eastern music.Unfortunately,it's quite repetitive."Ya Malaam"&"Zwit Rit" go on.And on.

Khaled,as usual,is great in "Ki Kounti." Rasha's "Leila" is not THAT bad;it's hypnotic instead of boring."Nahawand"&"Through the Veil" are North African jazz.Like some smooth jazz, this album falls into the trap of being repetitive.

"Cairo to Casablanca" ended up being an album I eventually took to a used CD store.Perhaps someone else will enjoy it.I didn't.

The first seven selections on this CD are quite enjoyable and atmospheric. Makes me sort of want to get up and belly dance. Then we get to the eighth cut and it is excruciating. This is by an Algerian artist named "Rasha" who performs her composition "Leali." This is just meandering up and down the scale. All I could think of was Arnold Schoenberg Goes Arabic. It is nerve-wracking. I have managed to sit through that one twice, but I will never do so again by choice. This is so awful that it ruins the whole CD. The remaining three selections are probably not bad, but listening to Rasha just puts me in such a bad mood that it's difficult to listen to the rest of the CD. After Rasha, I'm just ready for this CD to be over. If I were technical minded enough to figure out how to program my player to skip Rasha I might like this CD. But as it stands now, I don't think I'll be listening to this one again within the next few years.

Another good CD. This is a blend of Middle East and North African music. If you like the Mediterranean groove buy this CD, also check out Afro Latino by Putumayo series, they are all very good. Actually these recordings were the ones who got me interested in moving to Morocco. Get yourself a seductive Mediterranean girl and dance to the beat. Buy it you will remember me.

A great sound of metal and a great blend of rock adds to this perfect cd. songs such as Fine Again and Broken make this a cd full of heart ache, but songs such as Gasoline and Fxxx It make a cd full of hatred and anger. It is a ccd you will love and most likely cherish.

Recomended:
Seether-Karma and Effect(****)
Slipknot-Vol. 3(****)
Three Days Grace-S/T (self titled)(*****)
Disturbed - The Sickness(*****), Beleive(****), and 10,000 Fists (****)
Staind - Break the Cycle(*****), Chapter V (*****)

Highly Recomended. [recomendations may contain VERY explicit lyrics]

This cd with bonus DVD is fantastic. Amy Lee is so good with seether.. I just love them both. Great bounus DVD..

This is a good start for a realtivly new Seether.Top 3 tracks are:69 Tea,Hang On,and Gasoline.While others think that F**k It is crap,it is a passable song at worst.