Customer Reviews

Molokai

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

 

 

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.)

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.

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.

I think Papa Wemba went a little American in some of the tracks, however it's still a fine cd. Maybe it's because I (and most Zairians) identify this music with soukouss or African rumba. I'm one of few people of European descent who know his real name. He is one great showman.