Africa music reviews

This group makes music beautiful, peaceful and soulful. So calming and precious.

Like many North Americans, I first heard Ladysmith on Paul Simon's Graceland album (by the way, the DVD of the making of that album is terrific). Last year I bought this CD, and it's been in continuous rotation on my CD player. There are lovely hymns (I only know they're hymns because they end in Amen) and very silly love songs like Paulina. It's a mini-vacation to listen to these guys!

This collection of Ladysmith Black Mambazo tunes is more than just a 'greatest hits' collection. It stands by itself as an artwork, all of the songs fitting a certain mood - one of joy, healing and positive christian spirituality.

A range of voices, low to high with cliks and whoops, is all this album contains. It is amazing how much music can orginate from the human vocal chord to produce music as stunning and beutiful as that made by the most sophisticated intsuments.

Some of the tunes are sunny, others pensive. Some songs are sermons, many end in "halleluyah," and the overall result is mezmerizing -- enjoyable for christians and non-christians alike.

This is highly recommended, and the perfect companion for a quiet day or to relieve daily stress. A+

Cesaria Evora has a voice like plush velvet.The songs are a totally unique mixture of Latin/African tempo and subject matter.

I saw Cesaria at the concert last year and I am also going to see her live this year. It was a really wonderful experience to hear her live. Such a unique and lovely voice.
"Sao Vicente" (or "Sao Vicente Di Longe" is called European version)is my favorite Cesaria album. Beautiful melodies which reminds of tropical islands in the summer... an album for relaxation. A masterpiece! Favorite songs on the album:
1. Sao Vicente Di Longe - my favorite song on the album. Amazing melody!! This really is a song which will take you to another place... sunny place near the ocean...
2. Dor Di Amor - Wow! I really like this song. What a rythm... All kinds of instruments are represented here. Very very good song.
3. Nutridinha - This one was a single... Very catchy and very tropical song... Great rythm.
4. Tiempo Y Silencio - Very nice ballad. Duet with Pedro Guerra. Really nice melody.
5. Bondade E Maldade - Great and very catchy.
Esperancia Irisada, Sabor De Pecado, Ponta De Fi, Pic Nic Na Salamansa, Regresso - these are also great song on the album. Really beautiful.
Great voice and great songs which can really take you to another place... somewhere far far away where sun is shining all the time...

Yes. Yes! There is an amazing effortlessness in the music, that transports you to some tranquil sad, happy, carefree state. The Cape Verdean Cesaria Evora once again delivers a rich blend of nostalgic African rhythms. These songs evoke a longing, a longing for a love, a longing for home, a longing for an unknown feeling.

What made me listen to riverdance in one word is, Thrilling.
And the rest of the good stuff attributed to something as famous as this one.
This CD lacks the thrill and excitment which Riverdance: Music From The Show [SOUNDTRACK] ASIN: B000005B2O this CD has, however this is a excellent CD for those audiance who love riverdance and usually go very easy on their ears, and not looking for riverdance to increase their heart rate 1 and a half the normal. I am very passionate about music, I said precisely "passionate". so this is not a good buy for me.

Riverdance on Broadway shouldn't be considered a standalone album. It has wonderful music, and I liked all of the tracks, even those that had more of an African flavor. If you're a Riverdance fan, you need to pick this up- though don't forgo Music from the Show, as some tracks from MftS just wouldn't fit on RoB. Taken together, they are a wonderful aural experience.

Alternately driving and lilting, energizing and haunting, this is music from the Broadway version of "Riverdance", which incorporates highlights of both the "Riverdance" touring show and its sequel, "American Wake". The taps and other percussive foot-pounding of the step dancers and flamenco dancers, an integral part of the livelier tunes, can be clearly heard along with the fiery instrumentals. Bill Whelan's Celtic-, African- and Spanish-inspired compositions are performed here by a variety of artists, including the choral group Anuna, the Riverdance Singers, the Amanzi Singers, fiddlers Maire Breatnach and Eileen Ivers, piper Davy Spillane, vocalists Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka, Bill Whelan on piano, percussionists Tommy Hayes, Desi Reynolds and Noel Eccles, and the Riverdance Orchestra, conducted by Proinnsias O'Duinn. Though the title "Riverdance" is conveniently memorable, I've never been particularly convinced by the attempt to connect these world-inspired performances to "rivers". However, the integration of music and "dance" in this theatrical masterpiece is obvious, exhiliarating and ingenious. Bravo!

This bad boy rocks the party, not in a violent, infantile way, but in a gentle, solicitous, cradle swaying manner. Not that the party would then fall asleep or anything, such kind of lie restfully, enraptured, dreaming lucid dreams staring at the ceiling. Guitarisms are sublime throughout, sounding incredibly full for such sparse arrangements. His best in my opinion, and who would contradict me?

I've owned the CD for nine years, and it has always stayed close to me. This is to my mind the best album available of Toure's music. As stated in the editorial review, it is bare bones acoustic. Ali's voice and guitar cut straight to the soul. He is accompanied by sparse but tasteful percussion.

I recommend this above the Talking Timbuktu album. It is a classic that belongs in every collection.

This is an excellent collection of mellow African blues,nothing is too complicated in this music - really simple, organic sounds with beautiful rythems and wonderful guitar playing.I would recommend Toure to any serious music fan, and this is my personal favourite out of all his albums.

I should plainly state that the music on this CD is phenomenal! An interesting mix of "folkloric" and "popular" music that inspires movement and smiles and all around 'upful' vibes. Not all of the songs are listed, however. There's part of a song to Oxumare in there that doesn't get credited. My biggest complaint with the CD, however, isn't with the contents, but with who gets credit for it. Michael Spiro and Mark Lamson are credited as the 'composers' but these songs and styles existed long before Spiro and Lamson were even a gleam in their respective father's eyes. Listen to any other Yoruba music and you'll find the same fundamental rhythms and chants.

Jorge Alabe and Bobi Cespedes are the cultural beacons here and it seems they - if anyone - would be credited on the cd cover. The fact that Spiro and Lamson plaster their faces on the label side of the CD itself (when they were, ostensibly the financiers of the project and, most assuredly, background musicians) indicates a severe level of cultural arrogance and Eurocentric insensitivity. Yes, it's a great CD, I just can't understand why two white guys get the credit for this African creativity. It would have been a grand gesture had they willingly taken the back seat and allowed the cultural context to speak for itself. Instead, they chose to amplify their limited input to god-like status. Things that make you go hmmm....

I'd give it a '5' if I didn't have misgivings about Spiro and Lamson's motives here.

BATA KETU took the Yoruba-based religious music of Cuba and blended in the Afro-based religious music of Brazil to produce a re-meeting of the two cultures separated at birth.
BATA KETU is the achievement of years of experimentation with Orisha music and Afro-Cuban sound, and is a 'must' for any drum or Cuban collection.

I just got done buying this C.D. for the third time (I've lost and damaged my others). This is, hands down, the best C.D. I've ever owned!

For those who don't know much of African music or Africa - let Queen Miriam be your storyteller.

For a woman who recently sang a duet with her own great-grandchild, it says a lot for her to still be producing quality material such as this

This is a good album and the funky Pata Pata 2000 gives it a contemporary feel, yet never do you feel to the detriment of Makeba's reputation. The album is clearly targetting the non-African markets as a suprising number of songs are in English and some have an R&B feel to them: it is thus not a typical Makeba album. "Pata Pata" and "Welela" are perhaps better buys if you are looking for something more ethnic.

Her vocal cords may not have the range as they did 40 years ago, but her voice has grown stronger and more intense over time. Have a listen to the original Pata Pata or songs from her Skylarks' days and you'll hear the contrast.

Conclusion: It is definitely worth a listen before you know whether or not it's your kind of album.

I have never even heard of Makeba and don't own any other South African music. I may not appreciate Makeba's music the way a long time fan would, but I heard this album for the first time today and loved it enough to order it new from Europe at extra cost. Can't wait until it gets here!

Lovely cd. Favorite tracks: Lindelani, homeland, pata pata... This cd is beautiful. Makeba's rich mature voice overwhelms and instrument, so it is nice there's at least one song of her w/ only percussion & light background. Some of the songs slightly "lite rocked" world music, but the wonderful vocals almost make that disappear! Believe me, I detest lite rock world music, but it's a great album. If you like more home grown and less synth try her Africa album. MANY wonderful tracks. Also, the case is wonderfully done and the words are printed for all the songs. (just nice to know!)

There are so many good tracks here, but the whole album lacks cohesiveness which i think is important for this type of music. The songs here show little resemblence to what they inspired (Gabriel's wonderful Passion) and they have a much more earthy feel to them, 'Yorky' and 'Tejbeit Ethiopian Bar Song
' being prime examples with such a fresh flavour to them, even after repeated listening. Yet whilst taken at their own merit, it still has the feel of a compilation, and it's perhaps best to look at the album as a taster record for each artist. Whilst it in no way compares to Passion proper, it is still a welcome addition to any music collection, and avoids the uneasy 'fusion' flaw that dogs too many Realworld releases.

The Last Temptation of Christ had two soundtracks. One was Peter Gabriels Passion, the other is this one. Where Passion featured a mix if traditional and modern sounds, Passion Sources is mostly the original traditional recordings that were eventually incorporated into the Peter Gabriel Passion album. This album may not be as easy to digest as the other Gabriel work but is worthy of including with it.

I enjoy both of them.

I used to just enjoy this album when I bought it a few years ago but after September 11, this album has had a new meaning to me and in fact has helped me rid myself of the hatred that I had of that part of the world and has actually made me even more fascinated with that area of the world.

I just wish people would stop hating on The Middle East and southern Asia and check out some of the awe inspiring music that musicians make.

Just the song Call To Prayer by Baaba Maal proves that the Middle East isn't a place of terror and hate but a place of wonderous musicians who could really give America a boost in it's music scene and end the corporate commercialism that has ruined Americas musical image.

Believe me this album after last years horrific events has been like a medicine and helped me maintain my respect for the Middle East plus I also happen to love music from the Middle East.

I hope I didn't stray too far off the topic of this CD but I just wanted to voice how this album helped me through this turbulent time. Believe me I alway prefer the Middle Eastern chanting anytime over the staccato of that awful Swedish Pop of Britney Spears.

God Bless both America and The Middle East

This CD is one of the two soundtracks for the movie "The Last Temptation of Christ". The other one, "Passion", deals more with Peter Gabriel's performances. This one deals with the more traditional Middle Eastern music used and sampled for the film. This CD is perhaps the greatest introduction to Oriental (Middle Eastern, Indian, African, Persian, Turkish, etc) music that is available. It covers an incredibly diverse range of styles and cultures. The songs on here range from wonderful songs performed by excellent traditional artists (NFAK, Hossam Ramzey, Shankar,, etc) to authentic ethno-music recordings. The first song is a wedding song from the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan himself, giving a magnificent look into the traditions of Pakistan. NFAK's song is one of his best. This is followed by Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal performing the Call to Prayer, which is an integral part of Islam. I strongly recommend you understand and respect that when listening to this track. Returning to South Asia, we are treated to a lively, upbeat Indian number from Shankar and the Epedemics. Following this is a beautiful, ephemeral flute song entitled "Ulvi", performed by Kudsi Erguner, one of Turkey's greatest musicians. Hossam Ramzey, gives a lively Egyptian Raks Shari number entitled "Fellahi" (farmer). I was very impressed with this one. It gives a view of Ramzey at his best. Next is a sample of traditional Egyptian Arab music. Then we are treated to a celebratory bar song from traditional Ethiopian musicians. Those unfamilar with Ethiopian music will be pleasantly surprised by this. Then we get a Perso-Indian performance by Mahmou Tabrizi Zadeh. This song fascinates me to no end. After that is another historic ethnic recording, this time from a Moroccan wedding celebration. As the NFAK song above showed, wedding celebrations are perhaps the greatest opportunities to hear music in Islamic cultures, so this shouldn't be too surprising. Next is a number by Abdul Aziz el-Sayed, which was recorded for the brothel scene, but was used for the Lazarus scene instead. And then we get a lively number from the African band Fatala, with lively percussion and vocals. This song is lively and uniquely West African, but fits in very well with the other selections. Next is the song from Nass el-Ghiwane (an excellent Moroccan group) which wound up being used for the brothel scene in the movie. Following closely is a performance by the Egyptian Gypsy group, Musicians of the Nile. And finally, the CD closes with a traditional Armenian ney flute performance, which I found both haunting and ephemeral. Its easily one of my favorite songs on the CD.
Overall, this is an excellent and diverse CD. The music on here, which saw use in "The Last Temptation of Christ" is wonderful and inspirational, whether from Christian (such as Ethiopian or Armenian) or Muslim (such as Pakistani or Egyptian) sources. It is beautiful and wonderful. I cannot say enough good things about this CD.

Three Fish is awesome. Like, the band has a lot of good albums, but this is awesome. It's got a couple of good songs, but the ones that I like best are #2, #8, and #11. Tracks #9 and #12 are so great that they make you want to get up and do something. Like, when I listen to these songs, I'm amazed how different they sound in the same sort of way. Have you ever felt like donning a trench coat, going down to the local high school at lunch time, and busting loose? Sure, so have I. But instead, stayed at home a tortured the family pet? Then what you may appreciate is some perfect music for low self-esteem and anti-social tendencies. Awesome. HERE IT IS.

Masterpiece is an understatement. If only words could describe the honesty, craftsmanship, lyrical depth and soul searching power of "The Quiet Table". If I read one more line about "My dessert island" album, I'm going to scream. It's "desert island"! And even "desert island" is a dumb phrase (a desert surrounded by water!) How about "deserted island"? Boys and girls, I'm certainly no Hemingway, but let's get with the program.

Remember that song about the guy and girl standing on the bow of the ship with their arms stretched out, then the ship sinks and everyone drowns? What the heck kind of nonsense is that? Thank goodness, Three Fish isn't at all like that! "The Quiet Table" is one of the Top-10 recordings of the decade. I checked "Keep my name analogous" because I didn't want my friends to know that I was listening to illicit lyrics. Can you still vote? If you vote, I have just 3 words: "Thanks so much. Really."

Well its a great album. It`s like Pearl Jam after a Tibet tirp with some opium in it. Or simply beautyful and amazing

This album is a great spiritual journey through the heart of the Middle East. Just look at the cover, that sums up the feelings you get from listening to this CD. Songs like Myth of Abdou, Timeless, Resonate, and Shiva and the Astronaut stir up emotions that are not produced by listening to other music. A must buy if you've ever wanted to take a trip through India, the Giza pyramids, Tibet, etc.

Horrid pop music. Watered down anti-mbalax rock that sullies the good name of Youssou N'dour. Granted this version is SLIGHTLY better than its original form/release (Joko: From Village to Town)- but make no mistake this was produced to appeal to Western sensibilies, abandons most attributes of senegalese Afropop (mbalax), leaving trite English lyrics, downbeat accented, unpolyrhythmic pop music more akin to Peter Gabriel than other N'dour albums. Recommened instead are
Ndour's "Best of 80's" & Rough Guide to Youssou N'dour & Etoile de Dakar", and Thione Seck/Raam Daan's "Live Aniversary."

I think Youssou N'Dour is losing his edge a bit. His last few albums have been decent but nowhere near as good as "Set" and "Eyes Open", where there is not a weak track to be found. His more recent stuff is more uneven and a bit too "pop", in my opinion.

Senegal's Youssou N'Dour is arguably the most famous African pop artist alive; he's certainly one of the leading exponents of the slick, high-tech production style that has grown out of the Parisian expatriate scene over the last few decades... This is his first album in over six years and, like other recent African pop albums, it points to a resolution of the aesthetic bridge that separates fans of a more stripped-down sound and those who like the soft stuff. There are still a few touches that make me cringe -- a soprano sax here, an overwrought chorus there -- but overall this album has a nice organic feel to it... pleasant, listenable, seductive. The only problem, really, is that so many of these songs end so quickly; it's as though someone advised N'Dour to trim his tunes down because eight-minute long songs won't get as much airplay in America. The four-minute long compromises mostly end just when things are getting good, and several seem kind of bluntly edited... The good news is, N'Dour's new songs sound great. I just wish I could hear more of them.

I have truly enjoyed this CD. As a Gabonese woman myself hearing the mix of traditional gabonese sounds, tribal language, and sounds and the heavenly music of Bach is truly...heaven. I do understand that such a mix could be an atrocity for some classical music fans but just forget Bach alone and try to picture his music beinf celebrated by some people who before had maybe never heard of him... jst enjoy the coming ogether of two cultures... Pierre Akendengue is brilliant, simply brilliant!

As a classically trained celleist and person who simply loves classical music- This album has been a tremendous insparation, opening my eyes to the true possibilities of music. The mix of the traditional music of Africa and Bach shows how cultures, from complete and totoal opposit ends of the world can come together and culturally unite. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who wants to see the true potential of Bach.

The work in this record is amazing and incredibly sophisticated.
The blend is almost unthinkable, but after you listen to this CD you feel the musical magic that was created at that early days of the 29th century, where two opposite worlds meet to surprise our senses with new sounds.
A real banquet for a music lover!