Diam [Import]

Daby Touré | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B0002AY95K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,802 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificently talented singer-songwriter--This CD is great, October 2, 2004

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diam (Audio CD)

This is great stuff: Afro-pop but strongly rooted in traditional sounds of West Africa. This is World Music at its very best fusion of pop and culture.

Daby Toure grew up in Mauritania, he's actually from a Senegalese family. In 1989 his brothers invited him to join their Toure Kunda band in Paris. After starting (and disbanding) his own band, he found his way to Realworld with this CD. He has toured with Peter Gabriel, who collaborates with a number of World Music artists and brings the best of the best on his concert tours.

Toure writes his own songs. And on this album, a lot of the tracks are Toure playing many of the instruments; derbouka, guitar, bass and percussion. I was blown away by the delicate guitar and the wide-ranging vocals. "Iris"--the first track, really hit me, but "Mi Malama", the song of a country man, admiring the sunrise and his herd of cattle, is probably my favorite.

The sound is infectious--or soul-searching. I took to this CD from the first cut "Iris"--sung about people who've lost their freedom, too often the case in Africa. I know I will be playing "Diam" over and over--it's uplifting and absolutely listenable. If you want to try World Music and you want a pop-African sound, this is the one. Listen to the samples and see if you don't agree. I love it.

Highly Recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great solo debut by an exceptional artist, November 24, 2004

By 

stuck_in_a_moment (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diam (Audio CD)

Daby Toure has given us an extraordinary collection of afropop ballads, with beautifully layered vocals, guitars and percussion, complemented by electronic enhancements.

The journey begins with Diam's terrific first track, Isis, where Toure's intimate vocals extend an irresistible invitation to join him on a trip to another world. Our voyage continues -- with songs of love and loss, and of family, places and people who have inspired him - through both softer songs, and more intense laments such as Yaw and Kelimanta. Most of the vocals (and instruments too) are by Toure himself, and he is a gifted singer and musician. When he brings others into the mix, the results include wonderful harmonies such as on Mansa. Whether the arrangements are spare (Hassina) or lush (Bary), Toure is consistently compelling.

My only regret has nothing to do with the music or performances; it's that the liner notes are so brief. It would have been good to have complete English translations (instead of very short summaries) of the songs, either in the liner notes or at the label's website, since they are mostly sung in other languages. But this is a very small quibble.

In summary, Daby Toure's solo debut is so good that it's hard to stop listening to it. If you enjoy afropop, or want a good introduction to it, I can't recommend this album highly enough. Here's hoping that Daby Toure and his collaborators on this album will be bringing us more great music soon, and for many years to come.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh Daby, Give Us More...., February 18, 2005

By 

greensbeans - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diam (Audio CD)

This is music that is easy to fall in love with - be prepared to be pulled into melodic rythms by this wonderful new talent. There isn't a single bad track on this CD which is exceptional considering the amount of trashy material released today. Of course there are still favourites that stand out for me such as the hypnotic-chant-like quality of Iris & Kelimanta, Mansa with sweet woman's vocals peppered in, Hassina with a country flair with sitar as sliding guitar, and Fabe a lament to orphaned children. I find myself humming Iris or Kelimanta out of the blue - what a hook. Its difficult to judge the quality of his music from the too short samples here, but I guarantee this CD will be a keeper once you listen to it in full.

As like the other reviewer, I do wish the liner notes included English translations to the lyrics because Daby's dedications to the songs reflects a beautiful, compassionate soul.

Highly recommended. What Talent.