Oremi + We Are One [Extra tracks]

Angelique Kidjo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Fontana Island
• ASIN: B00000G0TN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,948 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > World Music > Africa > Benin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If this doesn't make you a convert, nothing will., January 19, 2000

By 

yygsgsdrassil "yygsgsdrassil" (Crossroads America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oremi + We Are One (Audio CD)

I saw Kidjo's stage show a few years back here in Emerald City at one of my favorite watering holes/live show venues....the rhythm, the ancestral motif, the techno/hip-hop flavoring, the seductive backgound singers and dancers, Kidjo's ball-of-fire performance....I fell deeply in love with her. Who wouldn't, I ask ya? She's been out for a little while and this album "Oremi", as one of the other reviewers stated, is one that melds the US hip-hop to the African music/World Beat music (I am not sure of the proper term for it, so if you're a description purist, forgive me.) that she generally does...I purchased the CD "Logozo" some years back and lemme tellya, she really shouldn't worry about capturing that US R&B audience--"Logozo" was bumpin'and thumpin' and though it was sung all in her language, I really don't need a translator to feel what she means, dig? This CD "Oremi" quite does the same thing. It is so strong that it will make you a Kidjo fan forever.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre offering from a usually great artist, March 18, 2006

By 

James S. Dodds - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oremi + We Are One (Audio CD)

I adore Kidjo, recorded and in concert. Her previous CD's are among my favorite music of all time - vibrant, unique, melding diverse cultural rhythms and themes while still keeping her essential West African flair. This album, however, seems a too-obvious ploy to capture a Western audience. There are numerous songs in English, which is not bad in itself, except the lyrics are painfully trite. Much of what was elegant jazzy and bluesy strains on her previous work has been replaced by a funk sound that seems to have come straight out of a bad 80's black sitcom; much of the distinct West Africa quality is lacking as well. Do get her earlier work - Fifa, Aye, Logozo, for they are truly brilliant. This, however, is Kidjo light, less filling and less satisfying. Interestingly, this is the only Kidjo album with a monochrome cover. Even her photo - contrite, in Western dress and with her radically shaved head covered, telegraphs surrender. Maybe she's trying to tell us something. I recently copied all my Kidjo CD's to iTunes; well, almost all. I left this one on the shelf.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LoVe ThIs CD, March 15, 2001

By 

T. L O'Keefe (Altadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oremi + We Are One (Audio CD)

I got turned on to Oremi and after hearing it, hunted until I found FIFA and AYE (thank you Amazon.com). The music and beats are infectious and it really doesn't bother me that I can't understand a thing she's saying. Because with a voice that beautiful, it's all about the music. The lyrics I do understand (like Open Your Eyes) are worthy of being sung again and again. Also, compared to the lyrics of a lot of the songs on the radio, I don't mind my 5 yr old daughter singing her way phonetically through this gem of an album. Kelly Price, Branford Marsallis and Cassandra Wilson were pleasant surprises on an already completely satisfying CD.