Customer Reviews

Diam

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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.

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.

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.

toure's tunes are very transportative...i mean you can envision the sahel and the music's cadence belies the harshness of that environment...a real folk music feel...it would even be better with a little more percussion.

With acoustic guitar and a driving beat, Daby Toure alternately excites and soothes, and never bores. Enthralling and varied tunes and rhythms suitable for both careful listening and background. An impressive artist opens his heart and soul.