Customer Reviews

Bambay Gueej

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
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Cheick Lo's Bambay Gueeji, released in Europe in 1999, is probably one of the best african records of the year. If Ne La Thiass was a great senegalese mbalax album, this new release is much more: a magic fusion between mbalax, James Brown's funky and cuban music.

The production is at the best, with the touch of Nick Gold and Youssou N'Dour. About the tracks: M'Beddemi is a senegalese version of "El Carretero" from Buena Vista with the contribution of Richard Egues, flute of Orchestra Aragon, Bambay Gueej is a funky where the horn section driven by Pee Wee Ellis is at his best, Africanden begin like a funky and breaks in a reggae rithm, Bobo-Dioulasso is a sweet ballad where you can listen a duet between Cheikh Lo and Oumou Sangare. Zirk is a song dedicated to Lo's spiritual master. But the track I like more is the joyfull and danceable Jeunesse Senegal. The Senegal's youth is live!

This is a great CD worth its price ten times over. I have not heard any of Cheikh Lo's previous work, but this one shines. It's got a spectacular blend of Afro Caribbean and Cuban influences, but what really makes this CD stand out is the unbelievable talking drums. The percussion is beyond anything else that comes to mind, and keep in mind, I'm fairly deeply immersed in the so-called "world" music scene. Combine the percussion with a killer horn section straight out of James Brown(I believe it actually is JB's horn section), add some funky hammond organ, and you've got pure aural seduction. He actually quotes Fela Kuti musically at one point. So if you like the "African woman" interlude, you should check out Fela's London/Shakara CD as well.

I don't understand a lick of the lyrics, but the emotion in this music could raise the dead. Cheik Lo beautifully melds the sounds of West Africa and the Americas (from Tierra del to the Keys, at least!) into something unique and shimmering.

I love both Bambay Gueej and Ne La Thiass, but have to admit I prefer Bambay's dynamic range. This album makes you smile, dance, and thank God that another day has arrived. I listened to this CD more than any other in the past year, and it still accompanies me on any trip I take!

Senegal has a new star for sure. Certainly not taking any thing away from his mentor Youssou N'Dour. And there is nothing wrong or un-African when stressing that there's a Cuban influence going on here. Cuban music is deeply rooted in Africa, America, and Spain which is connected to West Africa via the Moorish culture. Cheik Lo's Baye Fall heritage certainly embodies this cultural fusion. The talking drums and Sabar drumming are authentic african all the way through...

Thanks to a review on National Public Radio, I found this gem. Cheikh Lo is a musical genuis whose CD combines Cuban influences with incredible talking drums,horns and flute. This results in an uplifting albumn of intricate, mysterious and unusual rhythms and songs. This folks, is a masterpiece and is by far the best CD I have purchased this year!

A stunning record that even if you don't speak the language will leave you breathless. A vocal range and superb command of it add up to an album that can be called a, "masterpiece", in ANY language.

Cheikh Lo is simply amazing. I purchased both Albums and cant stop listening them. They both are a most buy.