Sangonini

Quatre Etoiles | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 8, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Stern's
• ASIN: B00000DDBN
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,111 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #87 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zaire & Congo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this CD--and ENJOY!, October 6, 2000

By 

caehli27 (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sangonini (Audio CD)

You may have heard the 4 Etoiles on a Putamayo CD, and I can't recommend this CD highly enough. Not only is it great Soukous, but these guys fuse Caribbean sounds with Soukous creating an energetic, lively, makes-you-want-to-get-up-and-dance music. Thi s stuff just puts a smile on my face and warms my whole mood and outlook!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Shining Example, September 8, 2000

By 

Matthew Watters "mistermizu" (Kell's Restaurant & Bar, Mongouge) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sangonini (Audio CD)

This "4 Stars" album has a veritable honours list of African Stars appearing on it and, in contrast to some other Super Band offerings, doesn't suffer for it. In fact this CD provides nearly 75 minutes of consistently high quality African melodies and melifluous guitar virtuosity, supported by harmonious vocals and horns. Fortunately the synthesizer, though present, is well hidden by more real instruments.

Check out the poised ZUNGULUKE, featuring ex-Sam Mangwana masters Syran Mbenza and Bopol Mansiamina, for a taste of this album. The soul of these musicians shines through. The Latin flavour of the CD is also apparent.

Or sample Nyboma's OMBA to savour Dally Kimoko's heavenly lead solo, that floats effortlessly throughout the last half of the track.

Add this to your African collection...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure, June 10, 2006

By 

P. A. Jorgensen "oldwiz" (a cedar forest in Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sangonini (Audio CD)

I have a very large collection of afropop and this recording is definitely one of my favorites. [I purchased the casette originally and eventually wore it out.] Exquisite musical arrangements and high quality production values are the hallmark of producer Ibrahima Sylla and I usually purchase every recording I can find by his Syllart Productions in Paris.

I've also come to appreciate Stern's for releasing this to a wider audience. If you are an afropop fan be sure to visit their store in London....probably the best selection in the world at a brick and mortar outlet. As usual their liner notes are excellent.

The musical artistry here is wonderful. These guys (the four stars) have their roots in the classic congolese pop music of the late '60s and these compositions certainly reflect that. But you can also hear the influence of caribbean "ritmo" on many cuts as well as other musical currents from Africa. Very creative! The horn section is especially tight...well done.

Lead guitarist Syran M'benza has always been a favorite of mine and his "Doly" on this album never fails to get me up and dancing. Listen to his solo work in the "seben" (usually the up tempo,last half of a soukous piece). Along with the synthesizer there is a crescendo that soars with great power. Wow. On other cuts guest artists Dally Kimoko (lead guitar) and Pablo Lubadaika (bass) are a real plus, too. Dally especially grooves on "Samba".

Soukous music presents clear evidence that the incredible creator guy loves us and just wants everyone to be happy. It all came together on this one...bravo (and amen)!