Customer Reviews

Opus 1

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Ghana's Nana Danso Abiam has set about on an interesting cultural project: create African "classical" music. What is involved: well, for starters, establishing standardized tunings for folk instruments, establishing a large ensemble (approximately 30 members),and then creating an orchestrated repertoire, based largely on folk tunes, the last a standard strategy of Western composers (Dvorak's "Slavonic Dances" et al.).

The result: striking music that lies somewhere between traditional Ghanaian folk music and Western classical music. Do not be mislead: this is not "worldbeat" and this music will undoubtedly not appeal to everyone. Taken on its own terms, though, it is quite appealing.

I am happy to say that this is the best classical African music ever written. Buy it and listen. It is wonderful

I studied Ewe drumming in a UC Berkeley college course with a Ghanaian master professor and performer CK Ladzekpo. It was the most rewarding musical experience of my life. This CD enables me to relive that period and teaching. Although it has even more melodic (and some harmonic) elements than we studied in class, the foundation of the rhythms transports me. I think you'll enjoy this collection of traditional West African pieces very much. It's a shame there is no Opus II or US tour. This is one of Real World's best in my opinion.

I discovered this album while living in Los Angeles in the mid-1990's. I think I may have bought it the year it was released. It became my aural bible. I had studied some of the very same music at UC Berkeley under Professor CK Ladzekpo. If you want authentic West African percussion and music done in an amazingly orchestrated way, this is your record. This is a healthy serving of fufu and groundnut stew in a Parisian resto-u where the presentation is outstanding. Opus 1 is impeccably recorded, the performances are otherworldly and the material is the real deal. Label founder Peter Gabriel and orchestrator Nana Danso Abiam should be very proud. Buy this.