Customer Reviews

Nommo

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is worth the money. There are few albums that successfully combine the political with the poetic.

However, this album accomplishes to go deeper: it deals with humanity and the "modern" metropolitan-city-resider's agony of emotional gaps in his life. In the guitar & cello masterpice "Killing Me", he is portrayed through a customer in a café, listening to his shallow colleague's complaints, silently lamenting his future sealed with this colorlessness and cold monotony that surrounds him. In "Frank & Harry", he/she appears as victimized and spiritually emptied by shopping madness and the shiny celebrity life. In "Voice", he's confronted with the difficulties of socialisation. This is a poem read by a man and woman synchronizedly. In "Back To Peace" and following "Whisper", he's guided and taught to erase all the prejudices, presumptions and fears imposed to him and give full vent to humane emotions and intimacy. Finally, "Sertao Blues" deals with the ultimate question "Who are you?", implying that every person is THE one, THE person whom he has rendered for himself...

As you see, the album is constructed as a process of therapy or enlightenment. That means, both musically and literally satisfying. Everytime I listen to it, I see new points to add to the interpretation that I gave above. The inspirational source never drains.

Listening to this album will also let you discover some wonderful artist such as Emiliana Torrini (who sings on the Lord Of The Rings II soundtrack and recorded some beautiful other tracks) and Kirsty Hawkshaw, the exquisite angelic voice behind some of the most ravishing tracks of BT, Hybrid, Dj Tiësto, Delerium, Way Out West, Silent Poets,... and of course Slovo (on Killing Me, Come Down, Whisper & Sertao Blues). She has also a solo album ("O.U.T"), which is an ethereal musical experience (especially recommended to those who find Norah Jones overrated). Just type her name into the search space.

In short, highly recommended!

Former Faithless band memeber Dave Randall creates music that is truly phenomenal. I first sampled Slovo work on an album by Hed Kandi on the Winter Chill Mix. This track only sparked my interest. I went out to get this CD and have been a fan ever since. Whisper and Killing Me are beautiful tracks. You want to hang on to ever note as it is played. For some reason you keep seeing a movie playing in your mind or a sad moment because the music sounds like a soundtrack to some movie you have seen before. I wish more music like this would make it to the US. Whoever is reading this should buy Dave Randall's new CD Eight Storeys. I could write another review about that album alone but Slovo is a great CD. Put in your CD player, put the coffee on, and let Dave Randall take you on a musical journey that is truly spellbinding and amazing.

This album is worth the money. There are few albums that successfully combine the political with the poetic.

However, this album accomplishes to go deeper: it deals with humanity and the "modern" metropolitan-city-resider's agony of emotional gaps in his life. In the guitar & cello masterpice "Killing Me", he is portrayed through a customer in a café, listening to his shallow colleague's complaints, silently lamenting his future sealed with this colorlessness and cold monotony that surrounds him. In "Frank & Harry", he appears as victimized and spiritually emptied by shopping madness and the shiny celebrity life. In "Voice", he's confronted with the difficulties of socialisation. This is a poem read by a man and woman synchronizedly. In "Back To Peace" and following "Whisper", he's guided and taught to erase all the prejudices, presumptions and fears imposed to him and give full vent to humane emotions and intimacy. Finally, "Sertao Blues" deals with the ultimate question "Who are you?", implying that every person is THE one, THE person whom he has rendered for himself...

As you see, the album is constructed as a process of therapy or enlightenment. That means, both musically and literally satisfying. Everytime I listen to it, I see new points to add to the interpretation that I gave above. The inspirational source never drains.

Listening to this album will also let you discover some wonderful artist such as Emiliana Torrini (who sings on the Lord Of The Rings II soundtrack and recorded some beautiful other tracks) and Kirsty Hawkshaw, the exquisite angelic voice behind some of the ravishing tracks of BT, Hybrid, Dj Tiësto, Delerium, Way Out West, Silent Poets,... and of course Slovo (on Killing Me, Come Down, Whisper & Sertao Blues). She has also a solo album ("O.U.T"), which is an ethereal musical experience (especially recommended to those who find Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan overrated). Just type her name into the search space.

In short, highly recommended!

This album is worth the money. There are few albums that successfully combine the political with the poetic. Ingeniously composed songs, beautiful vocals; what more can one expect? Listening to this album will also let you discover some wonderful artist such as Emiliana Torrini (who sings on the Lord Of The Rings II soundtrack and recorded some beautiful other tracks) and Kirsty Hawkshaw, the exquisite angelic voice behind some of the most ravishing tracks of BT, Hybrid, Dj Tiësto, Delerium, Way Out West, Silent Poets,... and of course Slovo (on Killing Me, Come Down, Whisper & Sertao Blues). She has also a solo album ("O.U.T"), which is an etheral musical experience (especially recommended to those who find Norah Jones overrated).

In short, highly recommended!

Every track is beautifully crafted, and the music is spellbinding. I haven't managed to take it out of my CD player since I bought it - no one I know has. Also, by all acounts, they kick live too! Mr Randall - a masterpiece!

I find this work from Dave Randall possibly one of the best 100 albums ever recorded, and surely the best I have heard since 1990. So much good taste, technically delicate, and spiritually full of colour. The track selection is excellent and sonically a rainbow of perfect balance. Kirsty Capshaw's interventions are full of sentiment and life!. Too bad this album is so hard to find. But after some searching, I succeeded.

A brilliant compilation of funky grooves, sweet vocals and powerful messages. Truly an inspired recording. Every now and then I put it away for a few months, then pull it out and check for goosebumps. Yep, still there.

Play loud - real artistry, Dave is a top notch guitar player (that's an understatement) and his guitar lays down the foundation on most tracks.

Kirsty Hawkshaw, Anthony DeMore, Emilianna Torrini deliver great performances. Dave Randall pulls in as much worldwide diversity in beats and grooves as possible without overdoing it. Dave breaks it down. Real talent here in performances and the mix.

This album is absolutely amazing!! I cannot stress that enough. If you are thinking about buying it, stop thinking and do it. If you've come this far, you won't regret it.

'Nommo'is a diverse album, filled with a mix of musical genres, cultural voices, and modes of expression. Rap, Spoken word, gorgeous heart-felt vocals, poetry and samplings. What's more this album articulates a strong socio-political message. Musically and lyrically, it forces the listener into deep comtemplation.

'Frank & Harry' is a complex dance number, that satirises modern consumerist culture with brilliantly witty lyrics that draw our attention to the idolisation of celebrities in our culture. (The impact of this is enhanced as the listener continues through the album, with lyrics about cultural identity, and war and peace.)
'Weebles Fall' features Emiliana Torrini on vocals and her voice is as crisp and soft as ever, while subtle acoustic numbers like 'killing me' and whisper' are filled with emotion.
'21 Today' holds a definite political message at the present, as it states all the countries (21 in total) to be bombed by America.

Favourite Tracks: Frank & Harry, Whisper, Back to Peace.
Album words: gorgeous, political, eclectic, heart-breaking.

How else to describe such a wonderful mix of music and song which is brought together by former Faithless guitarist Dave Randall? This CD has some brillian singers in it -including two of my all time favorite vocalists - Kirsty Hawkshaw on 4 songs and Emiliana Torrini on 1.
UK singer Kirsty Hawkshaw performs on "Killing Me" (a ballad that brings tears to my eyes),"Come Down","Whisper"(another brilliant accoustic guitar driven gem), and "Sertao Blues". Icelandic singer Emiliana Torrini appears on "Weebles Fall" with her sweet , smoky vocals.
A Palestinian Elham Ismael gives an introduction for the first track that sets the tone for some of the subtle messages of this CD, "Saaba" means "hard" in arabic.
"Frank & Harry" is a Dub infused piece with some great rapping by Anthony DeMore , sample lyrics :"From suburban bland to Hollywood sexy . New clothes technology forge a new identity. Girls lypo-suck tummy tuck improves luck. Small chest frustration - implantation. Boys - you're the viagra generation. Life is a sport, male domination. Be strong, love your ladies long long. It's all about manhood, don't get it wrong"...
"Di Wengi Sane" is sung in languages from Cameroon and Tongo by West African Maezah Sabine Kouli, which also includes a sample speech by Charlie Chaplin, and it is one of the more upbead songs of this album.
"Back to Peace" is some nice free flowing poetry by Anthony DeMore, so that just gives you an idea of all the mix of influences that bring this great album together. Many influences, many voices , many subtle messages...