Customer Reviews

Aye

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Angelique Kidjo's CD "Aye," in my humble opinion, is her greatest work. In it, she creates a bright Afro-pop sound that dominates the entire CD. The lead song "Agolo" is an upbeat, energetic dance number that is catchy. The video for "Agolo" was nominated for a Grammy Award. The harder-edged "Adouma" and the expansive, soaring "Djan-Djan" help mix things up, making "Aye" an adventurous listening experience.

Here is some background on Angelique Kidjo: She was born, one of nine children, in the village of Ouidah in the little West African country of Benin. Her father is a musician, her mother a clothes merchant and director of a large dance troupe. Angelique began to sing and dance at the age of six. One of her older brothers introduced her at an early age to western rock, such as The Stones, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and Aretha Franklin. She also was exposed to jazz, Arabic and Pakistani music in addition to church music. She began to sing in a band called Sphinx, which became popular and won several local competitions. In 1980 she moved to Paris and enrolled at music school, learning classical French songs and jazz. Thereafter she studied under the jazz singer Joy Kane for two years, something that had a strong influence on her later career and helped develop further her powerful and deep voice, as well as her rhythm and precision. In 1984 she participated in a tour with Radio France in West Africa. During this time she made several recordings in France and The Netherlands, before being discovered by Chris Blackwell of Island Records.

If you enjoy World music or are just curious about it, "Aye" is a perfect choice. It's Afro-pop sound is infectious and has just enough of an American pop flavor to win over the most fickle listener. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Aye's tunes are instantly appealing and the polyrhythms both interesting and foot-snapping. I heard Angelique Kidjo at an aerobics class and went out the same day and bought all her CD's. I have lost count of the number of friends of mine who heard her music at my place and then went out and did the same! There is something about her voice and the spirit of her singing that never gets monotonous even if you listen to her every day - and I have only said this about Thelonious Monk's music - so its high praise indeed.

This album has the capacity to make a vast variety of people stop and listen to it; "Agolo" in particular is one of those rare pieces of contemporary music that can improve the atmosphere of many a situation and you might find yourself thinking of and trying to hum or shout the melody yourself.

Translations are included in the notes, but even without knowledge of what Kidjo is singing about, the melodies, percussion and bass have been designed to endure and stand on their own and they do so beautifully.

What a collection of sounds and rhythms! I remember seeing Angelique in concert; she at one point invited all the children in the hall to come up on stage and dance. Every time I listen, it seems that we humans might just be able to live on earth together after all. One of my favourite CD's.

She has a beautiful crisp voice and this CD is got some great percusion which realy compliments the African lyrics. There is a remix of Agolo(the 1st track). I'm not sure who remixed it but I have it on a DJ mix tape and it's a hot dance beat worth looking for...

Aye rocks and pounds with one strong track after another. This may be Afro-pop's answer to "Thriller," strong, confident, polished, monster beats.

Kidjo, originally from Benin, looks like Grace Jones and sings with girl rapper aggression. Hang on for this ride -- horns, James Brown down beats, scratchy congas, and Kidjo singing of Yoruba gods and goddesses, love and helping others.

Upfront....This "Lady from Benin" has a wonderful voice and uses it masterfully...No weak songs here..You can play this collection all the way through without having to skip a selection....

Excluding her latest CD "Oremi"(means My Friend) which I have not yet listened to in it's entirety, I consider this her best work...I have 3 of her CD's.....

Trivia...Her Yoruba dialect(Benin) is somewhat different than mine(S.W.Nigeria)...But I understand it perfectly. Also the one track from Oremi I have listened to "Babalao" is a very familiar folktale within the Yorubas in S.W. Nigeria....not suprising really, we are neighbors...

This is my first CD by this artist and I had heard of her in passing. I love this album and love the beat. My one-year old starts to dance every time I put this on. It's good listening and makes you want to move (really good for cleaning or running to).

i love each and every one of the songs on the album. i kept playing it over and over again, almost ruin the CD. she stayed true to her African soul and that is what music is about, staying true to your roots.

I have no clue what the language is. But one thing is for sure. The singer has proved that, music knows No language or national barriers. Angelique Kodjo jas surely won my heart with her captivating music. Her music can also be seen and heard on WNVC 56 in the Washington Metro area on Friday nights at 10.