Customer Reviews

Princesses Nubiennes

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you don't understand French, then good luck understanding most of what Les Nubians say. Then again, you really don't have to know. These talented sisters from France sculpt one of the most winning world albums in decades, "Princesses Nubians," a blend of jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop.

Starting off with the smooth "Demain," Helene and Celia run the gamut with gentle European-influenced melodies ("Les Portes du Souvenir," the guitar-heavy "Voyager"), a couple of pleasant interludes, jazz (the upbeat "Makeda"), French-funk (the delicious "Tabou"), and poppy hip-hop (the only English track, the chipper "Sugar Cane").

French cool and African soul seem like an unlikely musical fusion, but Les Nubians manage it very well. It's fresh, unabashedly sweet-sounding and has a vibrancy missing from most music. What is more, these two have gathered a wealth of different musical influences and patched them together into a unique sound, without a dull moment. Dancy? Definitely. Lightweight? Absolutely not. 

Their vocals are smooth and strong; it doesn't matter for a second if you don't understand any French beyond "Garcon." There's enough emotion in their voices to tell you just what you should feel without the words. Heavy foot-thumping percussion is woven together with piano, acoustic guitar, saxophone and violins.

Rich and full of life, "Princesses Nubians" is a a rewarding collection of eclectic songs by a pair of deeply talented musicians. Elegant, sultry and highly recommended.

One of my favorite pasttimes is immersing myself in the musical flavors of cultures from around the world. It is truly astonishing and wonderfully refreshing to hear the fusion of music that exists out there in the music world. This phenomenal and highly debut album by Les Nubians surpassed all of my expectations of what their distinct fusion of Cameroonian instrumentation and French R&B would sound like.

These two beautiful, talented, expressive half-French/half-Cameroonian sisters are more accomplished than many of today's pop divas in the States. They have a definitely original and accessible sound that appeals to even those who don't speak a word of French. The back of the CD reads as follows: "Miriam Makeba meets Wyclef Jean. Or maybe it's Soul 2 Soul meets Zap Mama. Comprised of two sisters from Bordeaux, France, Les Nubians mix sultry, jazzy grooves with smooth hip-hop, sprikled with sampled hints of exotic African influences." I would agree, but I would also add that the depth of their expression is like no other duo I have ever heard.

From the very first track on the CD, "Demain (Jazz)" we already get a sense of the diversity of sounds these women draw their inspiration from. We have African derived drum patterns, jazzy and certainly Sade-esque jazz beats and a driving strength from their two voices as they blend R&B with improvisation. They also pay a tribute to their inspiration in Sade (a half-English/half-Nigerian singer who also bridges the gap between her European and African duel identity) in their French and English interpretation of "Sweetest Taboo" entitled "Tabou." One of the strongest aspects of this wonderful first album is the ease at which they move between their African-inspired rhythms and samples, and into more European-based pop riffs and the R&B and jazz inspirations often heard in North American music. Each track tells a wonderfully evocative and engaging story. Don't overlook this beautiful album!

I have no idea what these women are saying. The beautiful thing is that no translation is necessary. The definition of soul music is just that: music that bypasses the ear and speaks directly to the inner man. These sisters from Bordeaux have accomplished this with their music. I can sense the homage being paid in "Makeda". I feel the yearning in "Embrasse Moi" and I can share their revelling in the sweetness of "Tabou", which, by the way, grooves harder than the original by Sade. It certainly doesn't hurt that the French that they curl around these notes and rythms, sounds so exotic, so sexy, and so good to my anglicized ears. Interstingly, without much understanding, I can still easily discern that these songs are not about the Bentleys, booty, and bling that have so poisoned R&B/hip-hop.

The sad thing is that I discovered this diamond by stumbling over it at a used CD shop. I have never heard any of my local radio stations play one note of any of these songs; no doubt, they're too busy playing J-Lo seven times a day. So I'll do my part, pushing this along at the grass root level. I recommend it with the only French I know. C'est si bon!

You don't have to understand French to appreciate this CD, but if you do, you have the added joy of being able to understand the very beautiful and meaningful lyrics of these songs. With obvious pride in their roots and past, these two talented young women have created a heavenly musical experience.

Lush instrumentals and beautiful harmonies suffuse every track, with influences from jazz, hip-hop, European pop, and more. The singers have clear, sweet voices that intermingle delightfully, at times harmonizing, at times at counterpoint with each other. Every song, with themes ranging from their love of music to their pride in their ancestry, manages to convey a joy and a jubilance in life.

Les Nubians also offer a variety of songs that take the listener on a musical journey - from the lush ambiance of "Les Portes du Souvenir" to the hip-hop/soul influenced "Sugar Cane" to the charming simplicity of "Voyager".

If you find this CD, buy it! You won't regret it.

This CD by Les Nubians offers a blend of everything different to what is out there when refering to Urban music. Don't let the difference in language put you off, just open your mind and you'll soon enjoy the ride this CD gives you again and again. The ethics of the so called 'nu classic soul' are used as a basis for this album that make it become such a listening pleasure. Check out tracks as diverse as the 'Tabou' feat Roots, the drum & bass inspired 'Sourire' and the infectious 'Makeda'. Basically if you want a quick review there's no need to think about, just add this CD to your collection, but if you're narrow minded and unable to get with this album's non-existence of bump 'n' grind jiggyness, this is not for you.

I am an admitted critic. So, when a friend bought me the Les Nubians Cd, naturally I was ready to seek out weaknesses on the album. What I cynically anticipated was a mere carbon-copy of hip-hop - en Francais. Thankfully, these Nubian Princesses proved me incorrect. Pressing play on the first track delivered automatic results; Celia and Helene Faussart (Les Nubians) liquify sound and, rather than listen to it, my skin absorbed their fluid vocals via Osmosys. Although their sound is dissimilar to the raspy, rifty, gospel crooning all too familiar to African-American music, this stuff is certainly brimful of soul. "Makeda", a jazzy tribute to South African songstress Miriam Makeda begins with indisputably West African drum rhythms, then proceeds to give a slow-but-sure fix to bass addicts (the instrument, not the drug), and displays a keyboard tune so velvety, I mistook it for a flute. Les Nubians, self-proclaimed Afropeans, offer not simply one genre of music. Like their racial heritage (French and Cameroonian), their music is a blessed mixture. Stylistically, "Voyager" and "Les Portes du Souvenir" lean more toward European influence. Still, the thought-provoking lyrics are directed toward the Motherland's diaspora. What struck me immediately about these sisters was the bizarre likeness between their voices to those of r&b duo Zhane. But Les Nubians have something more crucial in mind than simply getting people onto the dancefloor: "pour raviver les memoires, [et] exhumer les connaissances" (to fire up the memory and dig up the knowledge of the diaspora). "Princesses Nubians" won't make you do the wop, but it may bring the dormant Nigerian Stomp out from within you. The music is hard to pigeonhole, so I dubbed it a blend of Zhane-like fluidity, Soul II Soul creativity, and African diasporic versatility. I look forward to a tour in my city . reviewed by Hamida Kinge

Five Incredible Stars!! Les Nubians, Helene and Celia Faussart from Bordeau France, sing mainly in French but, trust me, their music renders language completely inconsequential.You'll fall in love with their music anyway. Their voices are ethereal and sultry without being overtly sensuous, hip without being assertive. Perfect complements to each other as they spin solos, counterpoints, and dazzling unison phrases. Somewhat of a Sade-like spell is cast on some of their songs. As a matter of fact "Tabou" is a riff off of the Sade version of "Sweetest Taboo". Trust me, the French language never sounded so good !!

The beautiful music floats and spins on wonderful stop-time pedal points and is truly mesmerizing. The 'Pieces De Resistance' are the breathtaking "Makeda", "Tabou", "Princesse Nubienne", and "Si Je T'Avais Ecoute". This is groove music which is perfect for "Quiet Storm"-like smooth radio stations, but it is also works for any other listening occasion. Blessed with wonderful voices, it is just a pure pleasure to listen to these young ladies beguiling us, like they have been beguiling France and the rest of Europe for quite a while now. Highly recommended. Five Wonderful Stars!!
(This review is based on a 15 track ITunes download.)

Princesses Nubiennes is a joy to listen to. I find most French-Euro pop like candy - easy to digest but essentially unfulfilling. This album has a perfect blend of French chic and African soul that speaks to any listener. The harmonies are soulful, the singing sweet and the beat full of African percussion and rhythm. Perfect for background party music or headphones at home alone. Must add to your collection

I heard Makeda on the radio driving in Los Angeles and was stunned. I bought the CD and was totally overwhelmed by the amazing, funky, cool, music. If you buy ANY other CD besides this one, you're wasting your money. Les Nubians and MC Solaar are the best musicians to come out of France in the last 25 years. An incredible album.

and that they are. These two women have gorgeous voices that flow perfectly with the music. They exude beauty and truly bring out the beauty of the French language. I don't understand the words, but you don't need to, you can feel what they are saying. There is so much emotion on this CD; it's moving...Highly accessable, yet still intelligent and amazingly crafted. If you like soul music, definitely pick this up and don't worry about understanding the lyrics.