Pieces of Africa

Dumisani Maraire (Composer, Performer), Hassan Hakmoun (Composer), Foday Musa Suso (Conductor), Justinian Tamusuza (Performer), Hamza El Din (Performer), Obo Addy (Performer), Kevin Volans (Performer), Terrence Kelly (Performer), Hank Dutt (Performer), David Harrington (Performer), Joan Jeanrenaud (Orchestra), John Sherba (Artist), Said Hakmoun (Artist), Radouane Laktib (Artist), Dan Pauli (Artist), Kronos Quartet (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Dumisani Maraire, Justinian Tamusuza, Hamza El Din, Obo Addy, Kevin Volans, et al.
• Orchestra: Joan Jeanrenaud
• Conductor: Foday Musa Suso
• Composer: Dumisani Maraire, Hassan Hakmoun
• Audio CD (March 3, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J15
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,714 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > Dance & DJ > Techno > Minimal Techno

Track Listings

1. Mai Nozipo, for ngoma, hosho & string quartet ("Mother Nozipo")

2. Saade for voice, sintar, oud, bander & string quartet ("I'm Happy")

3. Tilliboyo for kora & string quartet ("Sunset")

4. Ekitundu Ekisooka for string quartet

5. Escalay for tar & string quartet "Waterwheel"

6. Wawshishijay for vocals, Donno, Brekete, Pretia, Gidi & Aketse "Our Beg

7. White Man Sleeps No 1

8. White Man Sleeps No 2

9. White Man Sleeps No 3

10. White Man Sleeps No 4

11. White Man Sleeps No 5

12. Kutambarara, for vocals, mbira, hosho, chorus & string quartet ("Spread

Editorial Reviews

Pieces of Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this CD!, March 2, 2000

By 

Jon M Altbergs (Epping, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieces of Africa (Audio CD)

I largely consider myself an alternative rock fan and to describe my knowledge of classical music as "limited" would be kind. I first got to know Kronos when they covered Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and had a video (which I saw once) on either VH1 or MTV. I was fascinated, so when they came to perform at my college (back in 1992) I went to see them. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. They didn't play, they didn't perform in the sense that most classical artists I've seen perform. It has one-half recital, one-half performance art.

So, I rushed out and bought a CD--fortunately it was "Pieces of Africa." I have since bought about half of Kronos's CDs, and all of their releases since, but this one ranks as my favorite. Why? It is joyful, uplifiting, and spiritual without being sentimental. It is a beautiful CD, rich in texture and melody. The quartet is often accompanied by vocalists, drummers, and other African musicians in a way that doesn't simply "feature" them, but integrates them. You can feel the collaboration among the artists.

Above all, this CD offers an accessible, non-threatening introduction to Kronos and their work. If you never explore beyond this CD, never buy Tan Dun or Night Prayers, your life will still be better for having heard this wonderful music.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pieces that fit together a continent, August 28, 2000

By 

C. Packer (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pieces of Africa (Audio CD)

More than just a compilation of great music by noted African composers, the album is a repository for the emotional richness of Africa. Each piece is lively, intricate and accessible. There is much joy here; the tracks are full of happiness, heat and nightfall. Also sorrow, but that's Africa, too. A friend gave this to me when I happened to be writing a book about Africa, and it became my soundtrack. I have given dozens of CDs to friends who love Africa. From "Sunset" by Foday Musa Suso to "Waterwheel" by Hamza El Din, "Pieces of Africa" is one of the great musical adventures of the past decade.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inventive and lively, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pieces of Africa (Audio CD)

I especially like the quartet by Volans and waterwheel. But there are no bad pieces here and most are sprightly and inventive, with a few really beuatiful ones.