Sepia

Coco Mbassi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 4, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tinder
• ASIN: B000086B9M
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > World Music > Africa > Cameroon

Track Listings

1. Mbaki (Intro)

2. Iwiye

3. Mundene

4. D

5. Muka Mwam

6. Muto

7. Profunda Sensaçăo

8. A Sawo

9. Mbombo

10. Bayedi

11. Oa Nde

12. Bila

13. Stabat

14. Mbaki (Outro)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Other than Manu Dibango's soul-infused 70s hit, Soul Makossa, and Henri Dikongue's latter-day singer-songwriterly poetics, artists from the West African nation of Cameroon are still relatively unfamiliar to Western audiences. But the area is home to some of the continent¹s most vital and accessible pop styles, and Coco Mbassi¹s throaty, caressing vocals and sophisticated arrangements require even less translation than most. Her soulful, urbane sound is assembled from relatively small forces. A tinge of dreamy, melancholic French cabaret melody weaves through jazzy piano, woodwinds, and acoustic bass, but the multi-layered percussion and women's choirs speak eloquently of centuries past. She sings about the tragedy of drug addiction, her devout Christian beliefs, and appreciating those you love before it's too late. It may seem odd to recommend this album to fans of Norah Jones, but open-minded listeners who are not overly attached to English-language lyrics will find plenty to love here. -- Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pretty music: music for listening, not for dancing., September 1, 2004

By 

WorldDiscoveries.Net "Bill Donovan, Reviewer" (Petaluma, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sepia (Audio CD)

The vocal harmonies on SEPIA are outstanding: European influences are strongly felt, including classical. Her vocals, which are the most important parts of the arrangements, lean toward the soft ballad side.
 This is very pretty music: music for listening, not for dancing.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is Christian music, January 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sepia (Audio CD)

People ought to know, even though this music is from Cameroon, that it is not Afro-pop. The lyrics are all Born-Again Christian ("Be certain that Jesus will lead you to the Way of salvation", etc.) except for "Bayedi" ("Tribute to the Parents"), and very moralizing in tone, if we trust the translations provided in the notes. If you don't mind that, or the fact that the album is marketed in the wrong category, you'll love this voice and the smooth arrangements.

5.0 out of 5 stars NPR was right, August 5, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sepia (Audio CD)

This is a very special album. At first, I liked it but it didn't hit the heart until the third time I heard it. Take a chance on this incredible young musical talent.