Africa music reviews

Geoffrey Oryema is a relatively new artist for me. I became a fan of his work from a music sampler (song was Market Day- another album). I bought 3 of his albums, this being the last...I was not disappointed. I found this album a bit different from Night to Night and Beat The Border, meaning it had some more "traditional sounding" stuff on it. By that I mean stuff I deem as more traditional African music via beat and style. Not bad, but not what I love about G. I fell in love with the somber low voice of Geoffrey, and this album continues that style. I am glad I found him as an artist, and this album continues to solidify him as a wonderful and powerful singer. Simple can be better! If you have any of his albums and want more this is a great addition to your collection.

This was one of the first Realworld releases I listened to and is also one of my favorites. Oryema has a smooth voice that covers a lot of emotion. This recording has a lot of "traditional" feel to it with the enhancement of Peter Gabriel and Daniel Lanois. Makes it a little more atmospheric, I guess. Oryema makes the upbeat songs sound so joyous. With the sad songs, you can hear his sadness over the turmoil in his homeland. This is a great album to settle into and marinate with awhile.

This is my all-time favorite CD of African popular music. The tracks are alternately infectious and uptempo, and deeply moody and sorrowful -- apparently informed by Mr. Oryema's heartsickness over the political turmoil in his homeland. The result is a consistently tasteful and affecting blend of cultural influences that has remained a top fave on my CD rack for many years. (I actually played it for my boyfriend, a musician, on our first date, and we've been together almost ten years -- he found it to be a revelation as well.) I haven't felt quite the same connection with Mr. Oryema's later work, but "Exile" is a gem.

Malope has a lovely, full, rich, powerful voice which she uses to great effect in these beautiful, sometimes overwhelmingly emotional songs.
The songs on this album are a mixture of traditional American gospel and township pop. In other words, it sounds more like pop music than does the average gospel cd. However, the pop doesn't dilute the gospel at all, because township pop is definitely not sappy love songs - it's the powerful expression of a suppressed culture. Malope seems to have found in religious music a way to express the hardships and yearnings of her life.
Malope grew up in the South African countryside under apartheid, and at the age of 16 moved to Johannesburg, where she lived as a beggar until her musical talent was discovered. She sampled many kinds of music, but gospel suits her best, and is the style she is now known for.
The sound quality of this cd is very good, and the musicians and backup singers are excellent. The songs originally appeared from 1990 to 1996, and they have been remasterd. 4 of the 13 songs are in English; the rest I believe are in Zulu. The English lyrics, and an English translation of the Zulu lyrics, are included in the packaging, as is an essay on Malope's life.
I found this cd very moving. Even people who are not interested in gospel usually love it.

This is a beautiful piece of art. I can't even describe the emotions associated with listening to this album. It is just heavenly. The interaction of the voices, the shape of the words, and especially the english translation are incredible. This is one of my most treasured pieces of music.

I discovered this CD in the library about 2 years ago and have been searching for it ever since, until now. Rebecca has a fabulous voice. A few songs are in English and most are African dialect, which I prefer. I am a musician, singer/songwriter and appreciate each song. This CD moves me to joyous tears every time I play it. The 3 tracks I have chosen for our wedding are #5 - Buyani, #8 - Umoya Wam and #9 - Ngegazi Lemvana. While it is a gospel CD it can be embraced by all folks no matter their religious forte, age, gender, etc. I would love to attend in person one and plenty more of her concerts. BRING HER HERE TO MAPLE RIDGE, BC, CANADA AND I GUARENTEE SHE AND HER ENSEMBLE WILL SELL EVERY TICKET, BAR NONE! It has become and shall stay as one of my top 3 favourites of all time. I dance in my kitchen, blast it while driving in my car, and with great joy imagine sharing it with our wedding guests.

Its still dumbfounding to realize that the sweetest voice in Congolese music came from the lungs of this giant. Here Pepe Kalle justs lets the voice fly and it is a marvel. With Diblo Dibala on lead guitar you've got a combination of two of the greatest Soukous heavyweights of all time. This album rocks. There is not one weak tune. Bilala Lala is my favourite though Pon Moun Paka Bouge ("Everybody Stop Moving!") sent an entire continent to the dancefloor when it first came out in the mid 90s. What a sad day it was when his heart stopped ticking. This is the album to listen if you want to discover the beauty of Congolese music as it was delivered through Soukous in the 80s and 90s.

People of Colombia are also familiar with Pepe Kall�. The song Vie Yamoto - Known as "Puro Machetazo" was very popular in the northern coast of Colombia. We all will miss him.

The most outstanding, and best produced, Soukous album. Some of the songs just explode out at you...

In search of music to use for a Kwanzaa Celebration, I purchased this CD. It is absolutely wonderful and just what I needed to complete my celebration. I love the music, the different instruments and the vocals are excellent. Thank you!

This album is the premier authentic collection of music inspired by and based upon the ideals, stories and history of Kwanzaa. In addition to a wide range of instrumental pieces, the album features eight specifically chosen vocal performances, ranging from traditional African songs to contemporary composed pieces. A standout for me is "Mya Si Grei", a traditional song which originated in Guyana, sung by enslaved Africans and passed down to their children. The lyrics roughly translate into "Even though we are here in these terrible conditoins, we are still the same proud, noble people we always were." I also enjoyed Jody Gray's a capella arrangement of "Lift Every Voice" performed with the Free Voices of Praise Choir. This is a dynamic, beautiful CD, one I highly recommend to celebrate Black History any time of year.

Women of the Calabash are simply magic. Their harmony and voices are among the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. It's easy to lose yourself in their music and messages. A must have for any music collection.

Rich, deep, and mellow -- Oumou Sangare's voice is like a premium cup of coffee. Interestingly enough, coffee was once used to stimulate monks to prayer by some brilliant Coptic abbott. Similarly, Sangare's music has a contemplative quality to it.

The music is simple enough: a basslike instrument, the low rumble of a drum, a higher violin-pitched instrument, and the firm ruler of them all, that is, Sangare's voice. The simplicity, the insistence of the rhythms, and the repetitive qualities of the music make it nearly trance-inducing.

This is beautiful music.

I am by no means a scholar on "world music", as it is often labeled. But, I am definitely curious. I love expanding my musical horizons as far as I possibly can, so I got this cd. From the first few notes, the enchantingly simple rythm of this music captivated me. And Oumou's voice is absolutely amazing - she oozes sensuality and purity at the same time. Everything is unique about it. The band includes familiar instruments such as violin, guitar, bass, and bongos, and in addition there is an instrument called kamelngoni, which I really have no idea what it is. But, this combination of instruments is of course not often heard, and therefore, the sound of this music is incredibly stark, refreshing, and unique. If you need a musical treat, a break from the pop/rap/punk that the media incessantly pummels you with, look no further. If you are of those with a hunger that is not pacified with the common, banal, rehashed "music" that is blindlessly followed by those who know no better, get this cd. You will not be dissappointed.

Oumou Sangare's Moussoulou is a hit. It is one of those cd's that will always be loved. From the beginning it became a hit, and 20 years from today people will still enjoy this Malian tradtional music performed by Mali's superstar.
What amazed me about this music is how well it was received by people of different cultures - Europeans, West Africans, Asians, and Americans. This has to do with Sangare's personal charizma.
Seeing Sangare's live shows (I only saw the video) tells even more of the communicative powers of this beautiful musician.
Get it and enjoy.

While "Tuku Music" is earthy,this album is lighter in tone.This is joyful;some hear Carribean influences in it,such as soukous.

"Paivepo" does mention darker themes of AIDS,but it also uses lighthearted parables to teach lessons.Mtukudzi's singing is as beautiful&powerful as ever."Paivepo" isn't a sophomore slump compared to "Tuku Music";it's only different.Oliver Mtukudzi's albums are worth collecting;there's not a single weak song in them.

This album is just great. Tuku "Samanyanga" has produced a masterpiece which is both a informative and highly danceable. Toita madiro is a beuatiful remake of one of Tuku's earlier songs and everyone is dancing to this piece of ingeniuty. A remake of Dzandimomotera should be able to scale the same heights. This surely is a great buy.

Ini ndiri wekuZimbabwe, mwana we Harare. I would like to say that Oliver Mtukudzi outdid himself on this one. If at all you ever doubted Oliver's capabilities, just one taste of this masterpiece will have you vouching fror him hands down. Big up Tuku. To my boy Sput in S.A. I love you!!!!

This CD is a must have to all lovers of Soukous music and alike. I can't stress enough how I like this CD, to put it in perspective, I rate it 5+, if there is such ratings. Please pick it up if you haven't done so.

Nice clean sound with Diblo Dibala's guitar playing featured up front. His playing just keeps everything moving. Good female vocal backup on some of the tracks.

It's good, soukouss fans will like it.

After listening to all types and forms of music from all accross the globe for close to 4 decades now, it is my considered opinion that on the whole that African musicians (especially guitarists) are still not paid the full recognition they deserve! Any living human instantly connects and is transported with the expressive, enrapturing music on this CD!! (After all Africa is indeed the crucible and originator of all life and music!

I heard the first track on the radio and it blew me away and on the strenght of this song alone I bought the CD for my 42nd birthday. I am very pleased with this CD. It has some really wonderful work on it. I don't know how to speak Spannish but the mucic and singing is soooo good you really won't here the words after a while. If you buy it and are not happy you can send me a flame.
JUST BUY IT !!!

David Byrne has assembled a masterpiece of rhythm and heart-felt joy. Thank God Luaka Bop put this music out for the rest of the world to enjoy.

This album represents the roots of Afro-Peruvian music. The lyrics of some of the songs provide the passion of the Afro-Peruvians back in the 1800s. The rhythm is sensual and the beat will keep you on your feet. As some of the songs are fast beat, some are a bit slower and more relaxing. Yet they have that spice well known among African music, that little something that makes you want to sway your hips and move your feet to the music. The quality of this wonderful combination (African/Peruvian) is something that you can't do without in your music collection!

to all those that come from Zaire, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, kenya amd the whole of southern africa will agreed with me that when it comes to rumba music koffi olomindes tcha tcho is second to none is all about shezinteba in lusaka.

koffi is the bomb ! men, he rocks if u are a lingala fan, dont even think about wasting your money buying something else, coz this cd rocks. have fun asks questions later. mkoe.

I would like to say to anyone, if you know music, Koffi is the man, I can wonder it keeps getting better and bettre, I wish i was him, if you take his music here, He will have been Michael Jackson.

Actually I'm thinking about buying this CD because I love the song "Everything is never quite enough". I wonder if the other songs are similar to this one, in the same song style. If they are then I can rate this CD really high. I can dance forever to the beat of that one song.

I first heard a Wasis Diop song in the movie, "The Thomas Crown Affair." After my wife and I realized how much we loved that song in the movie - I bought the CD for my wife and she absolutely loves it and so do I.

The mixture of languages and rhythms makes this a CD we never get tired of.

My personal favourite for the moment is "Que faut il faire" a lullaby of sorts that instantly brings a smile to my face when I hear it.

We have since picked up his CD "No Sant" and I'm looking for a soundtrack he did for his brother's movie. Literally, all of his CDs that I have bought so far are not enough.

If you love different rhythms, a deep soothing voice and enjoy the sounds of other silky-smooth languages - this may be the best CD you buy this year.

In answer to Tiffany: oh my YES!! The song Rai M'Bele is easily worth the price of the album. You won't be disappointed. It has Wasis Diop's exquisite voice, deep and gentle, a flowing melody and perfect rhythms.

I first heard "Everything Is Never Quite Enough" from the movie Thomas Crowne Affair and was transfixed, replaying it over and over -- and not because that was the love scene! His other album No Sant is also very good with many excellent tracks but I can't decide whether my favorite of his so far is Rai M'Bele or Eveverying I.N.Q.E. Please, help encourage this guy to make more.

I am buying this album just to get the *words* to Rai M'Bele. They have moved me to tears in Senegalese, I can't wait to find out if there's an English translation in the cover materials.