Gabon music reviews

One of the great musical poets of Africa, Pierre Akendengue, of Gabon, is a master of subtlety and complexity. Silence marked a milestone in African pop music when it was first released in 1990, showing how a European theatrical sense could be merged with genuine African roots and come out as a shining hybrid. While a casual listener might be tempted to dismiss the record as just another of the crossover attempts that littered the late '80s landscape, underneath the synth riffs and soukous grooves is a dense series of musical layers that defies easy comparison. Akendengue's music is full of unexpected sounds from both the natural world and the technological realm, and they are put to poetic use here. It can be a highly danceable groove ("Ovago W'Africa") or a sweet ballad ("Silence"). The mix includes filmy soundtrack and hard-edged pop, each song totally unique and never trapped in a convenient formula. For listeners who want more from their pop music than just another drum machine in 4/4, this album offers varied vistas. --Louis Gibson