Cameroon music reviews

I liked this record on the first listen even though it wasn't what I expected. It has a lighter sound than his other CDs that I have heard- Soul Makossa, Bao Bao and Electric Africa. There are big gaps in my knowledge of his music and I definitely want to hear more. His older records knocked my socks off more with their faster tempo and more intense sound. However,I enjoyed Mboa'Su, I think it sounds great and I noticed that it puts me in a very lighthearted good mood when I listen to it. I'm glad I added it to my collection.

For the avid collector, on great tune is enough to buy an album. This has several, it is an English sung hybrid, with a full, warm mellow guitar sound a bit slightly reminiscent of the round fingered Grant Green, but more directly the with the style and sound of Zachary Breaux's live album at ronnie Scott's in New York.
The most precious song is a anthemic lament about his love of Africa, and his desire to see and understand her. It is melancholy in sensitivity, but that is a human emotion that is hardly conveyed in the song, which pulls you in by the universal love of our respective ancestry. It is greatly uplifting and compelling, particularly the glorious guitar solo that ranks among my favorites in a 1000 CD collection (much of it centered around guitars). Do you know Roy Buchanan's solo in Can I Change My Mind? It bests the original for me, and is certainly rare. The fluidity of the guitar is similarly evocitive in Nguini's supple fingers, though quicker, more Jazzy, and less Blues oriented.
Also recommended is Sipho Mabuse's Chant of the Marching, which also conveys an underlying burst of emotion that is almost gospel like in it's effectiveness (whereas actual Gospel has not grabbed me yet). It is also a Crossover in English that seems more African that Paul Simon's hybrid effort (though I'm certainly not slamming that).

"C'est la Vie" is a favorite of mine. I like his voice, the sweetness of the songs, along with the variety and afro-rhythms, but this latest, "Mot'a Bobe" is too saccharine, too slick, produced, euro-french for my taste. I was very disappointed.

As a guitarist ,I personally improved my skills by listening to Henri Dikongue who operated a smooth revolution in the way Africa chants .Mota Bobe is good but "Wa was great " ,and so was "C'est la vie" .It's stands out that this album would been spiced up ,were it for arrangments like Manuel Wandji's. I don't know what happened between henri and his friend Wandji who did such a good job in arranging the 2 previous records . Those guys should manage to get together to lift up the chanting voices of Africa .If Henri does not get what I 'm talking about ,I entrust him to see how Paul simon ,Kumalo ,and Vincent Nguini stick together and succeed .Henri ,Manuel ,RETROUVEZ VOUS POUR LE PROCHAIN ALBUM :SINON ,LE CHAR DES DIEU VOUS TOMBERA SUR LA TETE . An admirer from Washington DC .

While not as light as his previous cd C'EST LA VIE in its arrangements, this new effort from Henri Dikongue should be a fine addition to anyone's collection. The rhythms are a little harder than the last, but his singing is as wonderful as ever. There's some great sax contributed by his fellow countryman Manu Dibango -- a nice bonus to an already fine ensemble.

the recording itself is kind of weak - heavy on the string section. otherwise a good way to hear other country's anthems, although that may soon be against the law if asscroft has his way.