"In the name of love" is an amazing fusion of African artists celebrating the music of the Irish alt. rock band U2. It's all electrifying; there isn't any filler. "In the name of love" takes U2's radio-friendly hits to a new level. It's a covers album that breathes new life into the Irish band's compositions.
Benin's Angelique Kidjo and Mali's Vieux Farka Toure transform "Mysterious Ways" and "Bullet the Blue Sky" into hypnotic,mystical masterpieces. Guinea's Ba Cissoko turns "Sunday Bloody Sunday" into a primal,earthy chant. U2's song about the Times of the Troubles in Northern Ireland is equally relevant to the inter-tribal warfare in Africa. South Africa's Vusi Mahlasela, Nigeria's Tony Allen, Senegal's Cheikh Lo, and the Soweto Gospel Choir turn "Sometimes you can't make it on your own","I still haven't found what I'm looking for" and "Where the streets have no name" as well as "Pride (in the name of love)" into urban hymns. They hearken back to U2's origins as a born-again Christian band. Les Nubians turn "With or without you" into Afro girl-pop. The Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars and the Boston-based African Underground All-Stars show the gritty,urban roots of "Seconds" and "Desire." The album closes with Angola's Waldemar Bastos deftly transforming "Love is blindness" into a lament.
"In the name of love" is flavorful music for pop and Afropop fans alike. It's powerful, beautiful music for a great cause. A portion of the profits goes to the Global Fund,battling HIV/AIDS and malaria in Africa. Music is healing.