Customer Reviews

Black Ivory Soul

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a jazz and latin vocalist, I am embarassed to admit I had not heard of Anjelique until I read a review of this album in People Magazine. I went online and listened to a few clips and decided to purchase it - and I can honestly say it is probably the best CD purchase I have ever made.

Anjelique's vocals are haungtingly beautiful, but not in a traditional manner. Her voice has an edge to it, a poingancy that's missing from so many vocalists today. Most of the tracks are a blend of Afro-latin and highly infectious. My favorite track is "Tumba," a merengue flavored piece that is so full of energy, you can't help but dance when listening.

I am now a huge fan and I look forward to hearing more of Anjelique's music!

Angelique Kidjo is one phenomenal singer and one fabulous person as she reveals herself here. This is a woman who won't sing a song that she's not fully into, and this shines forth from "Babia" on through the full CD.

There's blending here, the music of her native Benin merging with South American samba, modern Afro beats, and even some French. All in all, this results in a very powerful but controlled vocal sound. There is a feeling for the spiritual but also for the sheer joy of living in much of what she sings.

Discover Angelique Kidjo, and this is one of the best CDs to discover her on. You'll be glad you did.

Each of Angelique's albums has its own personality, and this one is no exception. She has even said that her albums are like children to her. I find this album to be very listener-friendly. I find myself transported to Bahia, though I've never been there. "Iemanja" makes me think of a moonlit night stroll on the beach. I especially love the ballads, but "Tumba," which is "dedicated to the public," is sure to get you on your feet. I have seen Angelique live 4 times since 1998 and met her 2 weeks ago. I will say that after hearing the music live, the album has a few weak points, not as pumped up as it is performed live. But I would definitely recommend picking this up for your Kidjo collection. If you have never heard her music, I would also suggest you pick up Keep on Moving as an intro to her.

"Black Ivory Soul" is a great album.
Its most notable feature is the mastery with which Angelique combines typically Western sounds with African beats.
Drums and guitars melt in perfect harmony. And that voice! Sometimes nostalgic (Olofoofo, Iemanja, Okanbanle), sometimes cheering (Afirika, Iwoya), but always far above average...

The album has a pan-African flavor: "Refavela" is close to music from South Africa, while "Ominira" (my favorite) reminds me of Evizo Stars (Gabon).

Add to that the fact that the album is in at least three different languages, you then surely find enough ground to be proud of having such a highly talented artist as an African sister. Kudos, Angie!!!

I saw Angelique a few days ago and I assure you the new CD is so beautiful and incredibly spiritual. It's an amazing blend of African/Brazilian flavored songs with drumming styles from west Africa and Brazil. Theres some samba and bossanova stylings and some jazz. One problem I had with the CD is that the engineering on this CD is toned down a bit. I think the bass and drums could have been pumped up a bit. When you hear Angelique live her bass player and drummers kick ...Her past CD's have had mad bass and were really danceable. This isn't really that type of CD. There is a lot of person spiritual growth lyrically. Don't get this CD expecting it to sound like the others. It's quite different but just as beautiful as earlier works.

Someone donated this to a thrift store, unopened, and I am the lucky girl who found it for only a dollar! Well, I'm a happy girl, because all the songs are delightful...Ms. Kidjo has a lovely voice and well-suited to her Afro-Brazilian rhythms...Tumba, tumba, tumba!

Angelique presents her new offering with smooth, sensual style. Absolute treasures on the album include a jazzy choral "Bahia," Samba-slick "Tumba" (you'll be singing that chorus for days), the understated and powerful "Iemanja" (another spelling for the name of the goddess Yemaya), the sweet ballad about family "Okan Bale," and a sparse but compelling "Mondjuba." There are a few tracks toward the middle which mix and meld to make a bit of background noise, and the background vocals are at times uninspiring, but Kidjo's soaring voice helps to lift it out of any major trouble. The only grief I have with the album is the sappy, boring, catering duet with Dave Matthews. Dave Matthews?? His voice clashes with all of the background vocals, and the lyrics are syrupy and predictable. Skip that one at all costs! Seems that the producers are ready to introduce Angelique to the American mainstream (about time!) but they think that she cannot carry a #1 single herself. Shame on them for getting air-time candy. Otherwise, I strongly urge you to pick this up for a listen, it'll only take a hint of "Bahia" or "Black Ivory Soul" to get you running to the store.

...it is an excellent, excellent production of the great Bahian stylist Angelique Kidjo. You will love how the producers and musicians have given it that African/Brasilia/French flavor. I dig every thing about this from the title cut to the Dietrich-like "Ces Petits Riens". And the bossa nova like "Rafavela" is so smooth it makes one wonder what in the heck were we doing while she was putting out years of great sound. If listeners of this CD find themselves compelled to find earlier productions of this great international artist then that will be fantastic. "Black Ivory Soul" is full of sultry, sexy textures and rhythms. Don't worry that she seldom sings in English. The important translations are given to some of the words in the CD's lyric book, if that sort of thing is a requirement for you. You more than likely are not going to be hindered by Kidjo's Bahian lyrics, because the point is that the music is universal and somehow you'll know exactly what she's saying, anyway. This is, in my opinion, one of the finest CDs put out in quite a while. Get it for your collection, now.

This is another bright, original, exciting compilation of music that crosses the world of West Benin-Africa, Brazil, US and one French song. It's a mix of funk beat, salsa, jazz and inspirational lyrics mainly from Angelique Kidjo herself with collaborators. Some translations such as: "Wherever you live, you'll find no one can take away whatever you feel inside your black ivory soul..to..Who sees the beauty in you, Maman Afrika? Everybody wants freedom, everybody wants to find one's soulmate, Take my hand I can pomise you Life will bring us freedom."

Listen to the clip before you buy and decide for yourself.

I bought her "Oremi" CD on a whim in 1998 and have been a fan since. Her shows are also very energetic, spiritual and heartfelt. I am going to see her again this year because she is one of the bright shining musical stars of this new century bringing the hidden well spring of Afrika to the world.

This is the first cd that I've ever heard by Angelique, and all I can say is WOW!! I sampled her cd at while out Christmas shopping and I couldn't belive my ears. Her voice was too powerful for words. I mean, it touched an elemental cord in my own "Black Ivory Soul".

I loved the cd and highly recommend it to anyone who's looking to find a great international African vocalist!!