Customer Reviews

Mambo

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

 

 

This is one of the greatest guitar albums in the world! I press play. Ongala is instantly my friend as he employs his warm vocals over layer upon layer of the sweetest tasting guitar lines my ears have consumed. The bass and drums are perfectly orchestrated to drive the spectrum forward. I've introduced many of my highly critical friends to this album and no one has complained.

I thought this would be the original Remmy Ongala - the self proclaimed "Sura Mbaya". The songs I listened to, when I was growing up, as a young boy and as a man. But this is an english rendition, to sell more records. I understand the need to expand the audience and sell more, but this has diluted the music, and it's almost on the verge of a sell out. I will always love and cherish the original works of Remmy Ongala.

This is a superb album for people or all musical tastes. The singing is polished and soulful. The rhythm section is exciting and compelling. But the guitar playing, in particular, is quite wonderful -- enormously complex and sophisticated, but also beautifully musical and melodic. If you like the music of Central and East Africa, you'll love this. If you've only heard West African performers, this will open a new world to you. If you've not had much experience with contemporary African sounds, this would be a great place to jump in. Get two copies, coz you'll wear the first one out!

I thought this was one of Ongala's original recordings to remind me of 'good old days' growing up along the lake shores of western Kenya. It turns out this is Ongala renditioning some of his old popular songs in the English language. Comes out as artistically weak and unoriginal in my opinion. However, if you never knew Ongala's work of the 80s, or are not a diehard fan of authenticity you may actually find this CD enjoyable.

The CD has the smooth taste of Swahili music. I recommend the CD to all East Africans abroad. As usual Remmy is at his best again.

Everytime I hear Remmy sing,it reminds me so much of the Congolese sound that I love so much.