Customer Reviews

Nomad Soul

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

 

 

Like his fellow Senegalese countryman Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal has become one of the most important African musicians in the world today. I have been a Baaba Maal fan for a long time now, and have followed his career over the years. The first album I bought was "Baayo", which was released in 1991. Then came "Firin' In Fouta" in 1994. "Nomad Soul" was first released in 1997. His long time companion, Mansour Seck, who has launched his own solo career in the last few years, seems less prominent on this CD.

Over the years Baaba Maal's music has become progressively more "mainstream", no doubt opening more markets to his music. "Nomad Soul" is no exception, though the tradisional sound is still strongly evident in tracks such as Mbolo, Cherie. Other songs, like Souka Nayo and Fanta have a much stronger pop influence, while tracks like Guelel and Yiriyaro have that strong traditional and dance blend which has become characteristic of Baaba Maal's music. The last track, Lam Lam, which is a religious song about what the future might hold, is my favourite on this album. It's interesting combination of sounds along with its devotional melody/voice line does it for me.

In a way I prefer Baaba Maal's older recordings. Don't get me wrong. I am not a purist when it comes to "ethnic" music. If music stays closed to outside influences, it may end up in a museum, after all. Music is there to be listened to. But "Baayo" is still my personal favourite Baaba Maal CD. I especially like the track Diahowo in which the tension is built up to a climatic and finally inspirational release. "Firin' In Fouta" was more dancy, and features a few tracks through which it is impossible to sit still.

Baaba Maal is one of Africa's, and the world's, most amazing and spellbinding talents. I own and have played his previous albums many times, and have captivated friends and guests with the surging rhythms and soaring vocals of his music. But I'm afraid that on this disc some record company execs got wind of his talent and said, "Let's make him commercial." How else to explain the syrupy sound of the opener, "I Will Follow You," or the poppy beats and production of "Africans Unite," "Fanta," and "Douwayra?" The good news is that five of the other tracks are pure, undiluted brilliance, Baaba Maal at his usual best. The closer, "Lam Lam," was produced by Brian Eno, and has lots of droning synths and horn-like sounds, meant I guess to sound like nomads in the desert. It's interesting, but at twelve minutes is way too long and in parts lacks energy. Buy it or not? Certainly get Baaba Maal records and enjoy his phenomenal work, but get his great earlier discs, like Missing You and Baayo, first. Then if you're hungry for more, like me, get this one too, and listen to it selectively.

Baaba Maal is arguably one of the greatest African vocalists ever to acheive international renown. Here on this collaborative album of bland pop and Celtic fusions. His distinct brilliance becomes submerged to lesser singers and you want to throw the CD against the wall in frustration. This does not mean the album is bad compared to lesser mortals this would be a great album and you still get the incredible Fulani melodies flowing through especially with his more successful reggae fusions. It is just that this album has allowed the other performers rather mediocre sound to dominate Baaba Maals on several songs. I would still recommend this CD because it has diversity but for Baaba Maal purists this will be a thorn in the side

Whatever record producer came up with the idea to add guest vocalists to an album by one of the world's most gifted vocalists should be fired. I completely respect world / African artists trying to break into Western mainstream, but this isn't how to do it. As others have written the production is thick, choked full of synths and layers of vocalists piled upon Maal's voice. One wishes everyone would just shut up and let Maal sing. It leads me back to 'Call to Prayer' everytime.

Although I agree a bit with some of the other reviews about "crossing over", I think Baaba Maal has done it better than anyone. This album is infectious and I can play it for anyone who has no experience with African music -- and they love it! The first track blows everyone away the first time they hear it and they are hooked from then on.

I listen to this album over and over.

A good album, but not his best. Some tracks don't work (the Celtic collaboration is a total disaster; Celtic music and west African ethnic/pop are too far apart for meaningful fusion.) Where he sticks to African pop with strong ethnic routes, he's all right (we're talking about 6 or 7 tracks here). Otherwise, a nice album but not as good as Lam Toro or Firin' in Fouta (not to speak of Djam Leeli with Mansour Seck, his best).

I heard this album after a 2nd visit to South Africa in October 1998. This is one of the most accessible african music cd's I have heard. It ranks alongside Salif Keita and Hugh Masekela in terms of sheer appeal with the funk of Youssou N'dour. Having fallen in love with the country,its culture,problems and romance there is no better cd to play as one drives the wet shiny european motorways in a dark bleak winter to bring back the heat,smells,colour and passion of the african continent,even the heat on the back of one's neck seems to be present! I have since worked my way through many african cd's and it even tops Philip Tabare. I cannot wait for more Baaba Maal-please tour the UK again B.M.Stanley Lucjan Marek.

"Nomad Soul" continues the musical journey that began when Baaba Maal released his first CD for Island records. With each release Maal has mixed a larger amount of musical styles, and I think this album succeeds when Maal lets the pan-cultural influences flow. After repeated listenings this album has grown on me. It is good to hear from artists that are unafraid to experiment with different styles. The added bonus here is that most of Baaba Maal's musical experiments work as wonderful examples of global pop music.

The sound is heavy and thick. Baaba's voice is totally drowned in tens of mixed tracks. No wonder, it took two years to produce the cd. The disc is heavily processed and homogenized to sound like every over "world pop" disc. Total disaster. To hear the real Baaba try "Djaam Leeli", his album with Mansour Seck.

this album is very unique and full of folklore yet easy to listen and relax to. The seller also delivered within the specified time promised.