Benin music reviews

i love each and every one of the songs on the album. i kept playing it over and over again, almost ruin the CD. she stayed true to her African soul and that is what music is about, staying true to your roots.

Angelique Kidjo's CD "Aye," in my humble opinion, is her greatest work. In it, she creates a bright Afro-pop sound that dominates the entire CD. The lead song "Agolo" is an upbeat, energetic dance number that is catchy. The video for "Agolo" was nominated for a Grammy Award. The harder-edged "Adouma" and the expansive, soaring "Djan-Djan" help mix things up, making "Aye" an adventurous listening experience.

Here is some background on Angelique Kidjo: She was born, one of nine children, in the village of Ouidah in the little West African country of Benin. Her father is a musician, her mother a clothes merchant and director of a large dance troupe. Angelique began to sing and dance at the age of six. One of her older brothers introduced her at an early age to western rock, such as The Stones, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and Aretha Franklin. She also was exposed to jazz, Arabic and Pakistani music in addition to church music. She began to sing in a band called Sphinx, which became popular and won several local competitions. In 1980 she moved to Paris and enrolled at music school, learning classical French songs and jazz. Thereafter she studied under the jazz singer Joy Kane for two years, something that had a strong influence on her later career and helped develop further her powerful and deep voice, as well as her rhythm and precision. In 1984 she participated in a tour with Radio France in West Africa. During this time she made several recordings in France and The Netherlands, before being discovered by Chris Blackwell of Island Records.

If you enjoy World music or are just curious about it, "Aye" is a perfect choice. It's Afro-pop sound is infectious and has just enough of an American pop flavor to win over the most fickle listener. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

She has a beautiful crisp voice and this CD is got some great percusion which realy compliments the African lyrics. There is a remix of Agolo(the 1st track). I'm not sure who remixed it but I have it on a DJ mix tape and it's a hot dance beat worth looking for...

I have been following Angelique Kidjo since the release of this album. I have all her albums and still like this one the best. The energy in this release is incredible. Angelique's powerful vocals are something which set her apart from most other signers. She is touring the US this year (2001) - I'm planning to catch her at the Hollywood Bowl in mid August. She is a great performer so try to see her while on tour.

A nice blend of African grooves, pop and a taste of house with Fon and Yoruba lyrics. This should set a trend???

This is the 4th album of the petite Beninois singer an it transcends the category "world music" since all the fast numbers could fit easily snugly in the dance music genre, thanks mainly to the slick production of Joe Galdo who also twiddled the knobs for Gloria Estefan's Miami Sound Machine. The result is a vibrant clubland mix of reggae, funk and African Beat with rattling, percolating percussion above which her highly distinctive voice soars and swirls. Most of the racks ere co-composed by Kidjo and her husband, the bassist Jean Hebrail. "Batonga", the opener is a foot-tapping dance track whilst the tender ballad "Logozo" gives her voice the chance to shine in all its glory. Accompanied by acoustic guitar, her voice also impresses highly on Miriam Makeba's "Malaika." A remix of the title track of her 1985 album "Ewa Ka Djo" is another floor-filler, as are the reggae-tinged "Kaleta"(lovely synth melody) and the complex "Eledjire" with its Nigerian polyrhythms. Angelique sings in French, Yoruba, Fon, Mina and Swahili and is assisted by Branford Marsalis and Manu Dibango on sax and Ray Lema on background vocals. Forget about techno, dance to this!

Kal�ta is an outstanding blend of Zairois, pop, jazz, rock, and traditional Beninese music. It's great for dancing or just sitting back and dreaming that you're in West Africa. Kal�ta will broaden your musical horizons. Overall c'est fantastique!

This is an AMAZING blend of African rhythms, very happy, melodic and upbeat music! You will LOVE it! This is so different than anything I've heard-- It's addictive! This artist is incredibly versatile and talented--I'm really looking forward to the next Kaleta release!!!

This is one of the best I have seen in a long time. This artist has raw talents and I see him going places. The language, culture and blend is what makes it a unique piece of work. Keep up the good work Kaleta!!!

well, i will not profess to know much about carribean music or where the african music has fused with the carribean music in this album but it's good. angelique has crafted a great album for the end of her musical trilogy. it's not really like her previous albums but it carries Kidjo-ness in it. there is joy and power in the more upbeat songs like 'Seyin Djro' and there is sensual tenderness in the slow songs like 'N'yin wan nou we'.
like the title says, OYAYA, there is joy in this album, and i think is woth having if you like african or latin music or if you enjoy a good song.

Tight Latino-Caribbean band deep with polyrhythms and horn charts sharp as a razor. Big alto voice tends to stay in the mix. Uses a wide variety of styles that sound more New World than African, but African roots surface here and there in especially hot rhythms and lighter elements of the upper part of the mix. Not as African as I had expected. Traditional in many ways.

To be honest, I was disappointed. The Kidjo I want more of is the one who turned the movie, Lightning in a Bottle, on its head. Her boogied Buddy Guy into an incendiary take on Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child." That's the voodoo we want from Kidjo; you won't find it here. [49:47]

This album is not really meant to reflect the true music of her homeland of Benin West Africa. It is a story that tells the journey of the West African Slave deposited in the Spanish, French, English,and Dutch speaking Caribbean as well as parts of South America. If you have a keen ear and have travelled to such locales, you will be able to identify the variety of rhythms and beats from the various islands and countries. Her voice is strong, sultry, and beautiful! In my opinion this is another winner.

When I listen to a song and I like it, I have the tendency to buy the cd, even if I know nothing about the other songs. Well, sometimes the surprise is not positive whatsoever, basically I have to put up with a bad album with one good song, but in this case I have to say that I'm very, very pleased with most of the other songs. Iemanja is still my favorite, and the reason why I bought this cd. Ms. Kidjo has done a superb job exploring the links between his hometown in Africa and Bahia. Sarava Angelique!

Someone donated this to a thrift store, unopened, and I am the lucky girl who found it for only a dollar! Well, I'm a happy girl, because all the songs are delightful...Ms. Kidjo has a lovely voice and well-suited to her Afro-Brazilian rhythms...Tumba, tumba, tumba!

This could be Kidjo's best ever, although she's still young, and no doubt, has more tricks up her sleeve, as the more recent, Caribbean-influenced OYAYA! would indicate. This collection of songs is largely inspired by Brazilian music, but as usual, Ms. Kidjo likes to mix things up, so her Aftican rhythms combine with French, South American and other shadings, and most of the melodies here are not only beautiful, but memorable; "Iemanja" and the kora-backed "Okan Bale" are particularly lovely. Even the fairly commercial duet with Dave Matthews is fine, and the one track I've heard on the radio, "Tumba" is joyfully infectious. Angelique Kidjo is an international treasure who has grown as a singer. She has become subtler, while retaining the power and soulfulness that first caught my attention in the early '90's. If you have the opportunity, catch Kidjo live, as she is an energetic, animated stage performer who can move even the most reserved audience to dance in the isles!

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 really loved it. her style is unique and that is what draws me to her music.

The best of Miss Kidjo! Buy this music.Peace of mind will follow!!

Angelique Kidjo's music is a blend of African (where she was born), European (where she lives) and America (where she draws much inspiration). Don't waste too much time trying to categorize it - just enjoy it as it is excellent. Her cover of "Little Wing" very interesting and her own compositions are good. The beat is so good that you don't mind if you don't understand the language of many songs.

This album,the most recent of Angelique Kidjo's many releases, is a racier and upbeat return to the artiste's Euro-laced African pop. Apart from intriguing yet simple melodies, what will surprise many serious music lovers, who may otherwise dismiss this as a pop album, and therefore of no consequence, is the line-up of musical luminaries who play on this album. Among them, saxophonist Branford Marsallis, keyboardist Kenny Kirkland and bass phenomenon Bakhiti Khumalo. Add to these a whole slew of lesser known African talents. And, as always, Angelique Kidjo is a treat to listen to. She's bridged Euro-pop and African melodies in a pleasing and highly energetic mix that goes straight to the head and heart. A must listen for anyone with even a faint interest in World Music.

There are one or two weak tracks in this album (personally I think the forays into soul/R&B style English lyrics are not the greatest, but that's just me, musically they are still sound). But they are more than compensated for by the rest. It is an outstanding piece of work, I would say her best. I have Oyaya and Black Ivory Soul and while they are good, this earlier work is still the most authentic. It has power, sensitivity, intelligent arrangements, and some genuinely sublime passages. Her voice (best when she genuinely unleashes it) is very good, great depth and range, reminds me of the Filipina singer Grace Nono, one of the most charismatic voices/deliveries I have ever heard, whom I would highly recommend - but who I can't find on Amazon (!?).

this is a truely outstanding album produced to the very highest standard

Angelique Kidjo has succeeded in giving African Music a definite European feeling, she has re-inforced my belief that African Music is a Universal one. This is a good one coming from her, she should keep the flag flying.

Grace Jones in style but holding down her own in an African cultural flavor. The tracks where the percusion is heavy and the lyrics are chanty and rhythmic are the standouts. Her voice is soothing to listen to in the melodic Fon & Yoruba languages...

After several listenings, this CD has keeps growing on me. There are several songs here that exude emotion and sensibility. This is one talented lady and deserves all the attention she gets in the US. This album, no doubt, will be considered a classic. (5 Stars)

This CD may be worth buying for the liner notes alone. There are almost no commercially available recordings of Yoruba bata drumming, and this is a good one. In contrast, there are dozens of recordings of Cuban bata drumming, which is the form that grew out of Yoruba bata drumming during the slave trade. Bata drums are the sacred drums of the king-god Shango, and are used in ceremonial music for the Orishas in AfroCuban Santeria, as well as in Yorubaland (present day Nigeria mostly) to speak praises and for Egungun (ancestor) masquerades. I'm glad this CD was produced and is now easy to find. ...

If you're reading this review, do yourself a favor and buy this cd. For several years now this has been one of the first cd's I always ask people about if we happen to discuss anything about West Africa. My thought being that if the person is already into various West African musics but they don't have this cd, they need to have it. Also, if they are just curious but don't have anything, they need to have it.

Performance-wise, this cd is a dream, and it's recorded equally well. What we have here is a great mixture of excellent bata and dundun ensembles. The one thing that saddens me about this disc is that it had to be presented like this. Just like 1-5 tracks from each different ensemble. I wish there was more mass-interest in music such as this. There is not one ensemble on this cd who isn't worthy of an entire cd (or more) all to themselves.

The liner-notes will also be of interest to anyone wanting to learn more about the cultures represented here, and Yoruba in general. The notes are quite musically detailed also, in case you are a musician. If none of that interests you though, don't worry. Even if you never even glance at the liner notes you will still have a fantastic disc of very powerful drumming. From the springy, rubbery tone of the dundun ensembles, to the taut, tighter, staccato tones of the bata's. The bata ensembles are sometimes almost like an orchestra of layered, overlapping, musical machine-gun fire.

I'd also like to recommend the Master Drummers Of Dagbon 2-disc series. Totally different drumming styles but for me, these cd's are all joined at the hip. I wouldn't even want to try living without any of them.