Boomerang

Daara-J

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 16, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wrasse Records
• ASIN: B0000CERLU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,193 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Africa > Senegal & Gambia

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
"Been born in Africa, growing up in America, rap has just gone around to come back," proclaim Senegalese rappers Daara J on the title track to their appealing new Boomerang. It would be a perfect summation of the group's sound, except that Boomerang resembles nothing so much as recent albums by Cuban hip-hoppers Orisha--with hard-hitting hip-hop grooves and lush vocal choruses embellished by tasty snippets of acoustic guitars, flute, accordion and percussion. While there are some West African touches here and there--a gorgeous guest vocal from Rokia Traore on "Le Cycle," some afropop-ish acoustic guitar on "Le Precipice"--the group mostly belongs to an emerging wave of global hip-hop that also includes Boomerang producer Sergent Garcia and Daara J's Senegalese/French compatriot MC Solaar. The group's lyrics, mostly in French and their native Senegalese Wolof, eschew the braggadocio of much American hip-hop for some Afro-centric social commentary that harks back to old-schoolers like KRS-One and Public Enemy--although non French or Wolof-speakers may be disappointed that full translations aren't available in the CD booklet. --Ezra Gale

Product Description
The Third Album from the Great Senegalese Rap Trio. Their Music Mixes Elements of Tradition with Modern Sounds. 13 Tracks featuring Rokia Traore, Disiz La Peste, China and Sergent Garcia. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing collection from Senegal, January 15, 2005

By	A. Larrimore (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I heard this CD on the NPR show "The World" (a fabulous source for new world music) and was immediately interested (http://www.theworld.org/globalhits/2004/12/10.shtml). This has turned out to be one of my favorite W. African music collections. The beats are fabulous and catchy (even 14-year olds in rural Vermont were impressed with the music even though they couldn't understand a single word!). They sing in French, Woolof (a Senegalese dialect) and English and even though you might not understand the lyrics (the liner notes contain only selected verses from the songs) it's still an incredible CD. The speed with which the singers rap in any language is extremely impressive (especially on the track "Boomerang") and it had me captured in the first 30 seconds. He flies with his lyrics and you can't help but find yourself bopping your head and tapping your foot (I know, sounds cheezy!). I also love the song "Esperanza," which is very different because of its jazzier sound (and some lyrics in Spanish). Although Daara J sounds like and looks like your typical American rappers, the values and messages in their lyrics are not just about babes and bling. In their song "Paris-Dakar" they say that Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is more boubou than bling-bling, making reference to the traditional loose-fitting outfit, the boubou, that most Senegalese wear. It's hard to articulate precisely what I love most about this album, but it will forever remain as a playlist on my iPod. If you are interested in either rap/hip-hop or world music, this is a must-have in your collection. I will be looking for more music from Daara J and will keep up with them from now on.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Awesome, February 6, 2005

By	Monica M. Severino "Monicasev" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great disc! Equally great to listen to in the car and to dance to at a party. Exodus, Paris Dakar, and Esperanza are my personal faves of the moment. I also recommend buying Global Hip Hop -- a collection that includes Esperanza... The perfect record for hip hop fans who are a little tired of cheesy samplings and expletives every other word.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groove.. and then groove some more, October 8, 2005

By	Liz Miller (South Orange, NJ) - See all my reviews

The first song I heard off this CD was Exodus, and I bought the CD the next day. Every time I've played it at a party someone asks me about it. It's really fantastic -- a mixture of rap, hip-hop, and Senegalese music. Despite my high-school (and, sadly, college) French, I still don't understand most of their lyrics, but the music is so great it doesn't matter (and I'm a big lyrics person, so that says a lot).

Best picks: Exodus, Esperanza, Number One, Babylone, Le Cycle. All great and groovy in their own way.

Highly highly recommend. I could listen to this every day. And sometimes I do.