Molokai

Papa Wemba | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 2, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real World
• ASIN: B000007O7V
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,032 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > World Music > Africa > Soukous
  • #21 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zaire & Congo

Track Listings

1. Excuse Me

2. Zero

3. Bakwetu

4. Image

5. If the Children Cry

6. Sakana

7. Shofele

8. M'Fono Yami

9. Epelo

10. Awa Y'okeyi

11. Esclave

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Born in the city formerly known as Leopoldville back when the former Zaire was known as the Belgian Congo, Papa Wemba was on the leading edge of soukous music in the 1970s. He was a pivotal member of the trailblazing Zaiko Langa Langa and later formed Viva La Musica and his own ensembles. In 1993, Wemba renamed his band Molokai, and that name and band make this newest Papa Wemba CD both an aggregation of his past and a new exploration. Wemba delves into an a cappella tune, placing his soaring vocals at the immediate heart of the CD. But then the music churns in, veering between hip, urban dance styles that mesh European pop elements, Wemba's acrobatic vocal techniques and soukous' rumba-fueled rhythms. Molokai also throws truly rock- powered hooks and textures, too, newly energizing Wemba's music without taking away from the layered rhythms. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

This live studio performance from one of Africa's greatest stars is a collection of classic hits and new songs, produced by John Leckie, reflecting this stage of Wemba's musical odyssey. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars too much production, not enough soukous, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Molokai (Audio CD)

There *are* a few good tracks on this disc, but Papa Wemba's all-soukous albums are the Genuine Article -- listen to him with Viva La Musica (his current working group) -- the groove is irresistible, the vocals soar (much more so than on this album) and you'll have a taste of what tout le monde really loves! (Nothing blanded-out or dull, certainment.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most accessible Papa Wemba so far., March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Molokai (Audio CD)

For the world music fan from Europe or North America, I think this is the most accessible of Papa Wemba's albums so far. Here we, poor untrained listeners, can enjoy the full range of his voice, together with the finest of Congolese music. For a person enjoying a great deal of African and Afro-American/Latin American music, especially Cuban, his music really shows the continuity between the two.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tasteful, feel good, afro-pop, May 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Molokai (Audio CD)

I bought this cd because it had received a favorable review in Modern Drummer magazine. To say the least, that review is well deserved. It says something about a performer when he can connect with a listener who does not even speak the same language. The songs presented here range from Paris-glazed funk, to traditional african vocal styles. Regardless of what your tastes are, you will find this CD to be one of the most uplifting in your collection. Along with Latin music, I feel African music represents what will be a powerful force in the music industry to come.