Customer Reviews

Long Story Short

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sekou Sundiata proves himself to be one of the most daunting artists able to combine poetry and music. His work continues in the tradition (set with extraordinary standards) by Langston Hughes with Charles Mingus, and later by Amiri Baraka with David Murray and Jayne Cortez and the Firespitters.

On Longstoryshort, Sundiata continues his deep previous explorations of American culture, racism, music and more-- and with great success combines them with music for life -- this CD has something for everyone -- great beats, memorable grooves and searing words. Poems about Harlem, about Nelson Mandela, about listening to Eric Dolphy with a past love. A blessing.

I've read the negative reviews of Sundiata's albums, and I can understand how his art is not for everybody. Nevertheless, if you are looking for something more from today's fairly shallow popular musical scene, the work of Sekou Sundiata is an excellent place to turn. His poetry blends perfectly with the music and draws the listener into the tribal rythm of his voice and the pulsing funk/blues accompaniment. I recently saw Sundiata open at an Ani Difranco show and his live performance is equally strong. An artist in all respects, Sundiata brings his message to the masses in a form that both pleases and inspires. For those who don't readily associate with poetry, the accompaniment offers an alternative in understanding the pieces on this album. I would highly recommend the work, but would suggest that you listen to some other more (but not quite) mainstream artists before attempting this sonic journey into the heart of Black America.

Sekou Sundiata describes his work as "rhythm and news"; taking the beats of the street and using them as a backdrop for his poetry. Captivating and engaging songs tell the story of the African American people...

Sundiata's music echoes these sentiments. Whether a poem about slavery of the past or street life of the present, each one holds many striking truths. His style of layering spoken word over R&B and jazz with smooth vocals makes his work appealing accross many age groups and backgrounds. Fans of R&B, jazz, soul, folk rock, and poetry alike will embrace Sudiata's message; we can't live our lives today without remembering how we got here.

This cd has quite an unusual sound to it. Sundiata recites poetry while music --
mostly hip-hop, blues and funk (and a didjeridoo in track 9!) -- plays in the background.
Although a lot of the rhythms are funky, this is definitely not a record to dance or
to sit back and relax to-- the imagery is complicated and actually requires intellectual
concentration. The lyrics are often highly political and provocative, which I find
refreshing, especially since Sundiata is an accomplished poet, who can play with
words to create original and powerful images.

I discovered Sekou quite by accident on my way to work one morning, 89.3 WPFW, in Washington, DC...'Magic Bullet' grabbed me by the short hairs and I've been inspired every since. This was 9 short months before he became an ancestor...ANYONE who can't see the depth, soul and creativity of his work is spiritually blind. I see the next progression in a mighty line from Langston Hughes, Last Poets, John Coltrane, Joni Mitchell, George Clinton, Gil Scot-Heron, Bob Marley, Prince, KRS-One, Public Enemy...a griot not interested in a public ego trip, unafraid to say what he sees. He worked these poems enough that they are indeed done...just what we need, if we aint scared to receive...somewhere in America tonight, I don't know much, but I've seen a few and a few things have seen me too...

i only found out about this man after he had passed i heard an old interview on fresh air and i was surprised i was out of the loop he sounded like someone i would have known about for years and years

i spent quite a bit of my time searching around the detroit area looking for one of his cd's- you know his being much like gil scott herron except taking it to a new just a little slicker level- but i could't find one

ordered the one available here and i am sorry i did

sorry he died sorry there will not be more sorry i didn't discover him sooner-

Sekou is one of those poets whose voice haunts your dreams. He was perhaps one of the best chroniclers of modern urban life in America - The Bodega Republic--the country of immigrants, dreamers, and lovers. He is also one of the most profound American poets who wrote about the lives of people of color that I've known. Walk down the streets and alleys of cities in America - SF's Mission district, the Tenderloin, the lower East Side, DC's Chocolate City, and you will see the colors and hues of the music and poetry Sekou created firsthand.

I met Sekou in the late nineties when he came to San Francisco to do "The Circle Unbroken is a Hard Bop". Even then, when he performed "The Kiss", I knew then we had with us a rare talent: an unflinching voice speaking about the frailty of love and the sanctity of life in an age of AIDS. Subsequent work, particularly "The Blue Oneness of Dreams" contained in it the flavors of the immigrant (chosen and forced) nation that we are and more.

Its with sadness that I purchased this album shortly after Sekou passed. Sadness because we will no longer be able to look forward to Sekou's next work, his witty observances, or learn more on his heartfelt longing for a true, just republic, or dream for an equality that has yet to be fulfilled in The Bodega Republic that is America. But its good enough to know that these poems and songs are something to be enjoyed as they are, a testament to a huge talent that left us before we were ready to really find it.

Just listen and learn. The Professor is speaking.

With Sekou Sundiata's recent death, America lost perhaps one of our greatest living poets, in his fifties and still in his prime. While some traditionalists rejected his work, or attempted to pigeonhole it with the description "spoken word poetry" -- Sundiata preferred, "ritual poet" -- Sundiata demonstrated that poetry was not only alive but relevant. Sundiata's work covered a range of topics, often cleverly combining the political with the social and even the romantic.

An often heard objection to Sundiata's work was his combination of music with poetry. As with any multi-media art, this effort contains considerable risks. However, Sundiata's work does not do this out of whole cloth but draws on a rich tradition of both African and African American culture and works exquisitely.

Anyone with a love of language should give a listen to this great genius, snuffed out too early. He will be missed.

Frought with the same kinds of musical mistakes as his first record. Combining poetry with music is always tricky business. A lot of people think it looks awkward, and more times than not, a lot of poets don't nail down the right music for their messgae. Sundiata continually hits us with stock folk/blues music that doesn't seem to go anywhere on its own, and the poetry suffers for it.