Burundi music reviews

Khadja Nin is a highly regarded artist in Belgium and France and I missed so much not hearing her wonderful music on the radio, particularly since she brought out her amazing song, Sambolera. Here in Hong Kong I often play the album at events and social gatherings . This is the only one where people stop talking to listen then ask about the artist and where they can buy the album. The music is so distinctily unique and intriguing and yet speaks to everybody. The combination of Khadja Nin's beautifully deep voice and the exotic language alone makes it worth listening to. Very different and amazingly refreshing to go back to listen to time and time again. Buy it! You will never get tired of this one !

This nice african lady from burundi presents a perfect blend of pop, smoothjazz and world-music. You can compare her music with the similiar sound of Ang�lique Kidjo or Wes. If you dont know this music, buy it. You will not regret.

I received this CD from a friend from France who lived in Sengal for a while. Khadja Nin sings in French and in Bambara, a language spoken in Senegal. Both are absolutley lovely to listen to, and if you like music that speaks to your very heart and soul, regardless of the lyrics, then this is a CD for you.

If you have ever lived and loved in Africa, Khadja Nin's voice in this album will evoke powerful memories of those times. Her voice is the sensual embodiment of humanity's longing to be heard and understood.

I HEARD ABOUT THIS ARTIST A LONG TIME AGO & I DONT KNOW WHY I HAVEN'T GIVEN IT A LISTEN TILL NOW. ALL THE TRACKS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD BUT THE TRADE IS HER VOICE, IT'S ADDICTIVE ONCE U PLAY IT U WONT GET ENOUGH FROM TRACK ONE TO END.SHE SINGS IN ENGLISH, SWAHILI & SOMETIMES FRENCH. ITS NOT EASY TO CHOOSE A FAVOURATE TRACK BUT IF I WERE "FORCED TO PICK" IT WOULD BE "SAMBOLERA', "FREE", "LIYO LEYO", "MAMA", "SAVE US","WANNA WA MAMA'. MY ALMOST TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LOVES "SAVE US" BECAUSE OF THE RHYTHIM, MORDEN INSTRUMENTS WITH A EUROAFRICAN MELODIES ARE ALL HERE. THIS CD IS EVERYTHING ONE CAN EVER NEED.JUST PURCHASE THE CD & HEAR FOR YOURSELF. IF U NEED A REAL DEAL BUY THIS CD & ANOTHER ONE TILTLED "YA".

Khadja Nin's music is absolutely fabulous - sexy, catchy, soulful intelligent African pop. But every song on this album is on either "Khadja Nin" or "Ya Pili", with the single exception of Sina Mali, Sina Deni which has appeared before on a compilation album (United Voices of Africa).

Does this album really capture the best songs from the first two? I don't think so - I'd recommend buying "Ya Pili" first (despite the title, which means "second") and then if you're hooked (which you probably will be) you won't hesitate to buy "Khadja Nin" and "Ya".

The orchestrations remind me more and more of him as I continue to listen. Beautiful recording.

I still marvel how much music is still out there, unexplored and just waiting for the unsuspecting lucky listener to stumble across something as beautiful as this.

Even though sung in 3 different languages, the tunes will be easy for the western ear to adapt to without any problem, even as she stays true to her musical roots.

Melodic and heartfelt, this great recording deserves special attention.

Without a doubt this album rivals all my favorites! I can not get enough of it! The first time I listened to it it made me cry. Still it evokes emotions in me I do not even understand. Her voice takes you far away, the acoustics are phenominal! I was thinking of not sharing this with anyone, keeping it like a secret...a magic place to get away to, but it's just too good to keep to myself! Enjoy!

For me, this recording is the most provocative of the Nonesuch Explorer Africa Series. Each selection retains an unusual distinctive quality that allows it to linger on the listener's memory for hours. The inventive and engaging rhythmic figures, combined with the peculiar sonorities, set this disc apart from other recordings of African music I have heard. The flute playing on this disc is simply phenomenal; the serenity evoked by "Shepherd's Flute" is remarkable. It is indeed ironic that such music originates from a country with such a tragic history. If you had to limit yourself to only two discs in the Nonesuch Explorer Africa Series, this one and the excellent "The Soul of Mbira: Music of the Shona People" would be the ones to get.

This is a timeless, haunting soundtrack. One of Sakamoto's best, and thanks to a supporting cast of great music - this is truly a soundscape best heard in totality. Any fans of Sakamoto's work or even those who love movie soundtracks - you absolutely have to get this. Penetrating and atmospheric.

The Sheltering Sky is one of my favorite scores. The film itself is flawed but fascinating, and its score is one of its highlights. The Sheltering Sky Theme is so moving and haunting that it ranks up there with "Once Upon A Time In America" and "The Mission" as a brilliant theme music.

This soundtrack is hard to find but worth seeking if you love score music.

this Bertolucci movie was really beautiful and so is the soundtrack. It is simply brilliant & in my opinion Sakamoto�s very best! A mixture of ancient sounds, slow strings, islamic chants and heartbreaking melodies, just BEAUTIFUL !

Buy it, it�s a must! Rik

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.

I have not purchased this album yet, but I am looking for a particular track and I am wondering if it on this CD and I can't find a list of the tracks on this CD. Is "MYSTIQUE DU BURUNDI" on this CD? And if so, how would you describe the quality? Thanks! . . Michael

I have to go with the Mighty Quinn here: this is powerful music, and if you're even looking at something like this do yourself a huge favor and buy it. If you like Gabriel's Passion, if you like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, you will love this album.

I have not heard the CD, but I am Burundian and I have experienced Drumming both as a player and as a spectator. The best way to appreciate them must be live and visual, or if you cannot see them in the rare concerts, buy the CD and play it at maximal volume on a good sound system. It is thunderous like a polyrithmic waterfall!!!! One important thing to remember is that Burundian drumming or INGOMA as it is known is sacred. It is played at important national events, In the pre-colonial past it was the symbol of royal authority