Mwaliko

Lionel Loueke (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B0031S4K7M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,021 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ami O

2. Griot

3. Twins

4. Wishes

5. Flying

6. Intro to L.L.

7. L.L.

8. Nefertiti

9. Vi Ma Yon

10. Shazoo

11. Dangbe

12. Hide Life

13. Soul Sound

14. A.M.

Editorial Reviews

Originally from the small West African nation of Benin, guitarist Lionel Loueke has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past several years. In 28 and 29, he was picked as top Rising Star guitarist in Down Beat magazine's annual Critics Poll. His sophomore release for Blue Note, Mwaliko, follows up 27's acclaimed Karibu with a series of searching, innovative, intimate duets with Angelique Kidjo, Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona and Marcus Gilmore. Loueke also includes three new tracks featuring his longtime trio with Massimo Biolcati on bass and Ferenc Nemeth on drums.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Precision finger-picked jazz guitar in fine company, August 16, 2010

By 

Frank Camm (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mwaliko (Audio CD)

Precision finger-picked jazz guitar in tightly presented textures that feel improvised, but had to be worked through precisely with his counterparts to achieve the close integration with his players. Angelique Kidjo is her big-boned self, but can dance intricately with his voice and guitar. Esperanza Spalding is more subtle and supple, dancing in wordless voice and bass lines, on her own, or with his wordless voice and guitar. All form a tight unit throughout that hints as much of the Caribbean and Brazil as of Africa on most tracks. Standout: tr 8--Nefertiti. Lumpy galumphs in lines, rhythm, and harmonies. Shadowy bronze intensity. Tight, exact, but always a bit off balance. Compelling.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars African Infused Modern Jazz, February 14, 2010

By 

DJ Outro (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mwaliko (Audio CD)

There are few artists who rise out of poverty in Africa to record an album for Blue Note. Loueke is one of those rare artists, and, unsurprisingly, has infused his modern, happy, fast and floating guitar licks with a healthy dose of African stylings and vocals. Indeed, it is the tracks that clearly come from his own roots that are the most enjoyable and original. On the slower tracks (3, 4, 6) the sound is too introspective, so stick to the tracks where he shines with the unusual combo of fast guitar, light bass, and African-style vocals: Ami O (tk 1) is joyous and fun; Hide Life (tk 10) has a Hawaiian feel; Vi Ma Yon (tk 9) sounds like some kind of invocation; Shazoo (tk 10) is instrumental and has a Sun Ra style. Overall, a big step up from his 2008 release with Gilfema+2. I hope he sticks with this stuff and with Blue Note.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely gorgeous, February 14, 2010

By 

sundaytatu "!!!" (phoenicia, ny USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mwaliko (Audio CD)

this is a work of genius! anyone who likes either jazz or west african music will most likely agree & if, like me, you are into both- then this album will make you feel just wonderful when you hear it... i cannot say enough good things about this amazing & beautiful record from this talented man & his trio... they obviously love making music together & their joy & expertise shine...