Tanzania music reviews

I'm glad to have this cd!it reminds me of home;listening to Remmy ongalla.i recommend it to everybody .

More than the hundreds of other African oriented cds and albums that I own, this album is one that I keep going back to for inspiration and fun. Ongala's vocals are just the tip of the iceberg on this lp. His words speak volumes as to his existence, and that of countless others around him. The passion he exudes leaves no doubt that he is fully in tune with all that is around him.

As if the lyrics weren't enough, you have the music itself. His wonderful blend of soukous (a common brand of East African rhythms akin to zouk music of the Caribbean) spearheads the LIFE that permeates this album. His use of horns reminds the listener of Fela Kuti's bands of the late 70's and early 80's- the power of the horns on several of the tracks steals the show.

Ongala's lps are a great introduction to the music of East Africa, complete with the soukous guitar styles and horns- all commonplace in this part of the world. More importantly, this lp will bring you joy and an appreciation of music. It is the universal language, to be sure. As Frank Zappa so often said- "Music is the best!"

Remmy Ongala is just marvellous. A Zairean superstar who can change languages at the drop of a hat, he brought wonderful rumba-like music from Zaire to Tanzania. His music though sometimes political, is very deep and passionate. I will never forget the first cd of his that I bought, "Sema" This music whether you are African or European as I am is enough to die for. Remmy Ongala, Na kupenda sana asante!

I was pleasantly surprised by this cd. I picked it up on a whim and to my delight it is fresh and vital. I've never heard of any of these groups but that doesn't hurt the music. Most of the songs were recorded using either traditional instruments or with the addition of electric guitars. This cd, despite the cheesey cover is not overproduced tourist music. Instead it is delivers a nice selection of East and Southern African sounds. The singing and guitar work is great. The rhythms are awesome. Track four is killer. There is no info on the liner notes, but you can't beat this for it's price.

I just got this the other day on a whim. It was less than ten bucks and featured various artists I didn't know. The cheesey art and low price led me to expect commercial garbage (touristy versions of Malika) instead it's a great roots cd. The drumming and singing are highly enjoyable. This is a field recording so it's not the smoothest, but the groups have a sense of song. The guitar, vocals, and rythms are outstanding. I am tempted to check the rest of the series.

after being music director of a college radio station for several years, i was exposed to unbelievable amounts of music and hype, which left me hating most music i encountered. it's good to know that i can still get excited about artists. i can listen to hukwe zawose over and over without it feeling like a terrible chore. highly, highly recommended.

The music on this album is so amazing, it is far beyond words. Hukwe Zawose's voice is nothing like you have ever heard before. Sometimes it is soft and sweet, sometimes growling and heavy. The songs are all wonderful. Each song drew me inside to a strange and beautiful world of sounds. I believe this cd is one of the best cd's I have ever had. Anyone who likes music must have it !

This CD is great - I'm going to buy the other Hukwe Zawose immediately

after being music director of a college radio station for several years, i was exposed to unbelievable amounts of music and hype, which left me hating most music i encountered. it's good to know that i can still get excited about artists. i can listen to hukwe zawose over and over without it feeling like a terrible chore. highly, highly recommended.

The music on this album is so amazing, it is far beyond words. Hukwe Zawose's voice is nothing like you have ever heard before. Sometimes it is soft and sweet, sometimes growling and heavy. The songs are all wonderful. Each song drew me inside to a strange and beautiful world of sounds. I believe this cd is one of the best cd's I have ever had. Anyone who likes music must have it !

This CD is great - I'm going to buy the other Hukwe Zawose immediately

I know this song very well unfortunately I don't have a copy of it. This song was sang by Salim Abdallah of Morogoro Tanzania in the early 60s, it was a very popular song and it is still popular especially to people like me whe were born before 1960.
The contents of the songs contained in the album describe the life of the people of Tanzania (then Tanganyika) in the colonial days. Advises citizens and others who live in the country to be patriotic and develope the country by growing food for the people and ofcorse for export. Songs describe evilness and the suffering of the people. I would not wait to have a copy of it.

I know all the songs contained in this CD very well unfortunately I don't have a copy of it. These songs were sang by Salim Abdallah and the Cuban Marimba Band of Morogoro, Tanzania in the early 60s, they were very popular and are still popular especially to people like me who were born before the 60's. I can't wait to have a copy of this CD today. I would encourage all Swahili speaking gentlemen,ladies and those who are interested in "chachacha, rumba,.....to have one.

If you can only here what he says, Remmy Ongala is a comedian thro' his music. In this Album he can't STOP wondering who cares when a fish (samaki) cries? Nobody cares because the poor fish, his tears are in the water, and who would see how much tears coming out of his face??

I waited a long time to find this cd and the wait was worth it. Remmy is a transplanted Zairian who enriched Tanzania with magnificent soukouss or rumba style music. His own style, with the horns and other percussion instruments is unique. he switches from Swahili to Lingala and English like nothing or like no other African singer I ever heard. Whoever is in to this music, African or westerner, this cd is indispensable.

There are so many compilations out there, and this is one of the best. Regardless of how "important" or "representative" the songs chosen here are, they all sound great! A wonderful addition to any world or African music collection, and great for a beginner in African/world music!

This album is the sixth in a series of introductions to the world's great musical traditions. Each volume is built around a geographical theme and produced by an acknowledged expert in that area.

The African journey commences in Algeria and then heads South, stopping off in Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Gabon, Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar, before terminating in South Africa. The 14 tracks are representative but slightly atypical of their regions; most share a semi-acoustic yet modern and edgy esthetic. While a single CD cannot possibly showcase the music of an entire continent, these examples are a good way to get acquainted - or reacquainted - with Africa's stunning musical diversity. The set culminates in a moving rendition of the South African national hymn "Nkosi Sikilele I'Afrika," as performed by the Imilonji Kantu Choral Society, who sang it at former President Nelson Mandela's inauguration.

The story and characters that accompany this music can be found in the book by James Stephenson, The Language of The Land:Living Among the Hadzabe in Africa. Amazon is missing the boat by not marketing the book and CD together!!!!! tho the CD was produced in France and the book published by St. Martin's Press in the USA. The CD records the music of a stone-age hunter/gatherer community, still living in the "old way." The chants are charming and true and from the book you can learn all about the lives of the bushmen and the specific musicians. Both the music and the book are a very rare and special glimpse into a fast fading culture. Selling the book and the CD seperately is like having your sunday without the chocolate sauce or the sauce without the ice cream - they go together!!!

For those who love swahili (zililopendwa) music from the 1960's and 70's this CD is a wonderful buy.It transported me back to my childhood growing up with the radio music as an important source of entertainment.Mbaraka Mwinshehe's voice in all the songs is clear. The songs cover different subjects and most offer good advice about life in general.It's bound to put a smile on your face - it did that to mine!

I thought this was one of Ongala's original recordings to remind me of 'good old days' growing up along the lake shores of western Kenya. It turns out this is Ongala renditioning some of his old popular songs in the English language. Comes out as artistically weak and unoriginal in my opinion. However, if you never knew Ongala's work of the 80s, or are not a diehard fan of authenticity you may actually find this CD enjoyable.

This is a superb album for people or all musical tastes. The singing is polished and soulful. The rhythm section is exciting and compelling. But the guitar playing, in particular, is quite wonderful -- enormously complex and sophisticated, but also beautifully musical and melodic. If you like the music of Central and East Africa, you'll love this. If you've only heard West African performers, this will open a new world to you. If you've not had much experience with contemporary African sounds, this would be a great place to jump in. Get two copies, coz you'll wear the first one out!

The CD has the smooth taste of Swahili music. I recommend the CD to all East Africans abroad. As usual Remmy is at his best again.