Ara Kenge

Bola Abimbola | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fast Horse Records
• ASIN: B000CGYOG8
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,365 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Unique, December 9, 2005

By 

Nando Malheiros (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ara Kenge (Audio CD)

This disc is really a pleasant surprise for me. I'm a big fan and student of African music and I have quite an extensive collection of recordings by African artists. I find that the CDs I enjoy the most are the ones that are both unique and stylistically diverse. This disc, Bola Abimbola's first release in the United States, certainly falls into that category. I've purchased CDs in the past that have been so stylistically similar from track to track that without understanding the language the whole disc just blends together in my mind. Bola music however is full of surprises and there are no two tracks on this disc that could be confused for one another.

"Ara Kenge" jumps around stylistically enough to keep the listener interested and yet the Bola's voice singing in both Yoruba and English is so distinctive that it ties the whole thing together. Rich vocal harmonies and Nigerian percussion are featured throughout. Nigerian talking drums have such a unique sound.

While Bola is Nigerian, the first track on this disc, "Ise Aje", doesn't sound particularly Nigerian to me. It actually reminds me a lot of something off Angelique Kidjo's "Fifa" album. When tracks two hits, it leaves you with no doubt about Bola's Nigerian heritage. "ABD" is clearly Afro-beat but with Bola's own unique spin on it. Track three, "Olowo" seems to blend Highlife and Juju. It's followed by "Ayaba" which is probably the most accessible track on the disc. Even non-world music fans are likely to be caught up by its bouncy feel and strong chorus hook. Track five, "Ajo" is simply amazing. It's composed of layers of ukulele and voice. "Friends" features a guest appearance by King Sunny Ade and quite a few other artists that are better known in Nigeria than in the US. Regardless of guest appearances this is just a strong track that keeps the energy going throughout. The title track, "Ara Kenge" has a very rich traditional sound reminiscent of Haruna Ishola. "Adura" while obviously not Bola's best track is still very interesting. I really can't put my finger on how to describe it stylistically. It feels dark and mellow and yet it moves along at a fairly quick tempo. "Ojo Ngori Ojo" is has a relaxing almost lullaby feel to it. The melody is certainly highlife influenced but rhythmically it almost feels Brazilian. "Orin" seems more like a medley of Fuji/Juju compositions than on single song. In fact the ending seems almost Reggae. "More Than What You See" wraps up "Ara Kenge" with just percussion and vocals. The percussion fades out leaving the listener with just an acapella version of the rich African vocal harmonies that are so prevalent through all Bola's music.

Bola Abimbola's music neither overly produced slick Afro-pop nor is so traditional as to be only of interest to ethnomusicologists. I'd recommend this CD to any with even a little interest in African music. It's one of the best discs I've purchased in a long time.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bola for King, December 16, 2005

By 

World - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ara Kenge (Audio CD)

I have listened to world music for my whole life. My father was a session percussionist for the most popular world music artists. I know world music from the inside out. Bola Abimbola and his peoples have brought the W back to world music. I feel this could be the start of another world music movement. Do not hesitate to buy this disc. This disc has the highest class of musicians and producing engineers. I am now trying to talk to my lawyer and agents to sign this crew to a contract. Watch out World, World music is once again on the right track. If my father were still here he would be so happy.

Yours most truly,
Jonny Lonesome

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful voice, beautiful album...!!!, December 9, 2005

By 

L. Wiencek "música del mundo" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ara Kenge (Audio CD)

I love this album because I think that Bola Abimbola has one of the most beautiful, multi-layered, versatile voices that I have ever heard. I love the blend of African percussion with jazz-like instrumentation... I love the mix of Yoruba and English lyrics... and I especially love the journey that each song takes me on... I highly recommend this album!!!