2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Afrika Wassa, January 29, 2006
This review is from: Afrika Wassa (Audio CD)
Afrika Wassa
Vieux Diop
Triloka Records TR8069-2
His name is pronounced "Via Jo." Internationally, this Senegalese singer is a respectable competitor to James Brown for the title of "Soul Brother #1." If most Americans are going to have problems understanding the words when the tri-lingual Diop decides to use French or Senegalese, it's not going to be much more trouble than translating James Brown's English. If you're dotty about the words, they're in English in the liner notes.
This is the kind of modern African music that one might today dub "Paul Simon Lite." In addition to the basic rock instruments, there's a lot of percussion, strong, high backing vocals, a little thumb piano and a strong separation between lead and rhythm sections within the band. Vocal work is impassioned, and it is clear that Mr. Diop cares a great deal about each of the eleven topics he addresses in song on Afrika Wassa, which range from Mouille (Sweat) to Lepto Feyto (The Harvest) to Ti Gui(Surely).
It's interesting that "Afrika Wassa" translates into "new Africa." Music has a way of reminding us of all of the foundations of the American culture we live in. "Wassa" has to be "whassup" as clearly as the stringed instrument made by attaching a neck to a large, covered tortoise shell known as a "banjer" in the Wolof language is our "banjo," as clearly as the Wolof "hepi kat," meaning "one who has had his eyes opened," became the "hip cat" of prohibition era jazz. It's not all that foreign. Buying records like Afrika Wassa is just going through a different door to get to the same place. Try it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW!!!!, August 30, 2000
This review is from: Afrika Wassa (Audio CD)
I recently purchased this CD after hearing only one song on our local public radio station. I usually listen to Cletic music and found this to be a refreshing change. Although, I was happy to learn that Eilleen Ivers plays fiddle on a few of the tunes. It is a must for any collection. You will find yourself playing it over and over.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A splendid addition to multicultural music collections., September 4, 2000
This review is from: Afrika Wassa (Audio CD)
Afrika Wassa features eleven songs presenting a joyous sonic experiences reflecting Vieux Diop's grace, charm, evocative vocals, and infectious rhythms. lyrics are sung in French, Senegalese and English with the words an integral part of the overall texture of the instrumental sounds. This superbly crafted and recorded introduction to West African music provides a welcome and thoroughly entertaining listening experience. Afrika Wassa is a splendid addition to personal and community library multicultural music CD collections.
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