Customer Reviews

African Odyssey

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent collection of African music, gathered from across the continent, by Putumayo, one of the leading names in world music. Unlike many other African compilations, this one focuses primarily one Africa's vibrant, and yet, oft overlooked, aucoustic music traditions, and I must admit, even with my familiarity with African music, I was still blown away. The selections on here are pretty good, considering the sheer diversity of African musicians. Some of you may be familiar with artists like Tuku and Habib Koite, and needless to say, their contributions are excellent, nothing less than one would expect from artists of their integrity. We also get an attempt by Les Go to blend traditional Cote d'Ivorie music with moden pop, a reggae influenced number from Doctor King'esi, a folksy South African song from Aura Msimang, and a song by Seydu featuring the use of the Mbira (thumb piano). Towards the end of the CD, Putumayo seems to lean very heavily towards the traditions of Mali, which many of you should be familar with. Much of the music features an ephemeral, soulful aspect. However, theres no mistaking this music for anything but African.

Putumayo is a great vehicle for touring the world -- you can do it from the comfort of your own home by way of some incredible music. This particular disc is an enchanting and rhythmic look at Africa and its many different musical styles. According to the accompanying and extremely informative booklet, Africa is home to over 50 countries, 1,000 different languages, and 3,000 different tribes. That would make this disc a brief glimpse of all Africa has to offer in the music world, even though it is a very comprehensive sampling - ten songs from seven different countries.

Many cultures have influenced the music of Africa over the years, adding to a rich diversity of both music and the instruments with which to play music. The music found here is as beautiful and untamable as the African landscape - showing the strong unbreakable spirit of a strong, enduring, and culturally rich people. As well as containing two previously unreleased tracks of known artists, this disc also contains music of people that have never been heard outside of their marketing areas before. A bona fide treasure to care for and enjoy.

Fundo Di Matu is sung in Crioulo, which is a blend of African languages local to the Guinea Bissau and Portuguese, which is the main language of Guinea Bissau. Manuel Leal Emidio Costa, or Manecas Costa, first released this song on his album of the same name in 1999. Fundo Di Matu means Deep in the Forest and the rhythms of this piece will have you swaying and moving to the music before you realize what has happened, as Manecas' emotion laden lyrics dance around the melody.

Les Go is local slang along the Ivory Coast for "The Girls." This group is fronted by not one, but three young women who are a part of something so much larger - the L'Ensemble Koteba d'Abidjan. The famed dance/ theatre/ music company which was established in the city of Abidjan in order to preserve the Mandingo culture. The director of this school brought the three girls together, and now they mix their cultural music with popular Western music to bring about their own unique and most definitely unique sound. The lyrics of this piece are in Bambara, the language of Mali. In this track can be heard the n'goni (a four stringed lute-like instrument), Malian flutes, drums, and even some modern studio effects. The end result is a stunning and flavourful almost pop sounding track.

Ke Cu Minino Na Tchora is another interesting piece with a definite Reggae influence. The lyrics are completely at odds with the upbeat, chipper melody. The electric guitar has a bit of a spotlight, dancing all about the drum beat and bringing a smile - until you read the lyrics, that is. The Criolu lyrics describe the pain and suffering which comes with war, and focuses on the children thus affected. Bidinte has a strong love for music, according to the liner notes he even changed his religion to Catholic so that he could play the priests guitar! Incredible spirit and drive are combined with some serious talent where this young man is concerned. I hope to hear more of his work in time.

Not only is this a great way to expose yourself to African music, it is a great dance disc. The rhythms are very strong and lend themselves well to such strenuous activity. All of the artists featured on this disc are talented and have something worthwhile to say - this is music with meaning and a deep regard for life.

Review Original Posted at LinearReflections.com

After traveling around Africa for a summer years ago, I was eager to bring the musical sounds of the trip into my home. Each of these songs is so luscious, full of energy and beauty. Even someone who has never traveled to these vibrant lands can appreciate the diversity of each track, all of which are guaranteed to get you dancing and leave a smile on your face. I've not been back to Africa for five years, but I find myself reaching for this cd all the time, even for teaching yoga.

Tired of the Afro-pop and dance-beat music with an African flavor? Love acoustic guitar music with an ethnic flavor? You'll love this CD! I immediately went out and ordered all of Seydu and Habib Koite's music after listening to this compilation. I just wish I could find Manecas Costa's works!

While people associate Africa with drumming,this album leans to the acoustic side.Putumayo excels in exploring world acoustic music,and this album is a shining example.Each song is perfect,haunting.

Manecas Costa sings of a long-lost love;Seydu sings of the plight of children during wartime.Les Go is a powerful trio of women from the Ivory Coast.Oliver Mtukudzi of Zimbabwe,who is on many Putumayo albums,has a beautiful song about the sustaining power of spirituality.Augusto Cego from Cape Verde sings of the melancholy of the sea.Aura Msimang sings powerfully of a mother's loss.Adama Yalomba sings about helping the less fortunate accompanied by an unobtrusive electronic beat;I wish I could find more of his music.Habib Koite sings about the problems caused by polygamy when wives fight;it's not the glossy version of polygamy presented on HBO's "Big Love",but the atrocious nature of it in Mali.Koite doesn't sugarcoat it.

This is a powerful album.Despite its heavy themes of hunger,war&polygamy,its music is relaxing&uplifting.

I have always believed that you do not have to understand the literal translation or meaning of words in a tune to be stirred by it, this cd is a perfect example of this! I do not know the different languages in which the songs are sung, but the emotional delivery, musical notes and atmosphere created deliver to the listener a message beyond mere words! Play it often on The Crazy Coyote Blues and Jazz Power Show at 1490 KOTY in southcentral Wa. state.

This is certainly one of the finest compilations of African music I've heard. From Afrocuban to reggae to the soothing sounds of Cape Verde and beyond, the variety is good. There's not a dud performance and the quality is excellent throughout. The more well-known names like Oliver Mtukudzi and Habib Koite lie alongside some pretty obscure ones that are right up there. For example there's an early Adama Yolamba track that's really funky and makes you want to hear more of his. However his early albums are hard to get (and his recent effort Kassa is a little disappointing), so this track is a rare gem to be treasured. But then each track is distinctive and offers its own particular pleasure. Captivating and toe-tapping all the way, but like many Putumayo compilations a little short at 48 minutes (lose one star for that).

I'm kinda cheating by reviewing the African Odyssey CD. Truth is, I already had a copy of it from when I taught World History and played it for my students--maybe 15 years ago. I bought it at the Museum Store (now defunct) at a mall in Dallas.
It became my favorite CD, which I often listened to in my car. But on my last road trip, I discovered that it was skipping. OH NO!
Usually I'd putz around, thinking about buying another one and not getting around to it. But this was an emergency. So I checked on amazon.com and found it. Whew!
As usual with Amazon, I got it promptly. And coincidentally, it came the day before my English class was reading a Maya Angelou nonfiction piece about visiting in Africa. So, just in time, a new set of my students got to hear some of my favorite musical selections.
And, BTW, I've also bought since that original time a couple other CDs from Putumayo World Music. I like them too, but nothing touches the African Odyssey mix.

Putumayo does it again! Beautiful musical voyage of Africa with some haunting melodies. This is an enchanting album ...something you need to add to your I-Pod ASAP! My favorites are Raki by Oliver Mtukudzi and Sinama Denw by Habib Koite.