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Editorial Reviews
2009 album from the celebrated Senegalese master-musician. With its subtle blending of Electronic Dance elements and West African musical traditions, the record is a groundbreaking successor to 2001's Missing You. Television was produced jointly by Baaba Maal and Barry Reynolds, once the guitarist with the legendary Compass Point Studio Band, and mixed by Jerry Boys. The album was made in London and Dakar, the Senegalese capital. Baaba Maal worked on its eight songs with various musicians, but most specifically in a collaboration throughout the recording with singer Sabina Sciubba and keyboardist Didi Gutman, both members of New York's Brazilian Girls, who blend electronic dance music with a diversity of eclectic styles. Eight tracks. Palm.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
... and his success as a "world music" star speaks for itself, but I for one preferred the musical substance of Baaba Maal's much earlier CDs like 'Lam Toro' and 'Wango' from the 1990s. Then he was firmly engaged with the musical forms and traditions of Senegal, particularly of the Fulani, his own people, whose language he sings. This CD and most of his more recent performances are too generically African 'world beat' for my ears. So my three-star rating is totally personal, just my own taste.
Born in 1953, Baaba Maal has had an interesting life and is entitled to some success by going his own way. He came from a village family of fishermen, not from a griot clan of traditional musicians, but he's not precisely 'self-trained'. His musical education includes formal conservatory studies. He has a lifelong friend, the blind griot Mansour Seck, who has sung on most of his recordings and who still accompanies him on tours. Mansour does little more these days than back-up vocals, but his mere presence adds an aura of humanity and tradition to Baaba Maal's stage performances. These days, Baaba Maal has a decidedly "rock star" stage presence, a bit of Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen about him, one moment brimming with enthusiasm but the next frowning with what looks a lot like disdain. He's become a "crowd stirrer" as much as a singer, and likewise his music has become a little monochromatically 'stirring', even when he sings a song with 'softness' implied in the lyrics. Using predominantly 'western' melodic instruments -- electric guitars and electric keyboard -- he has in effect jettisoned the scales and microtones of traditional Muslim African music. Likewise he employs a standard trap set of drums, like a jazz combo would, to frame his songs, while other members of his combo provide fireworks, physical virtuosity on the 'talking drums' and other African percussion. His drummers are very skilled, very exciting, but only on a momentary level. There's not really much 'musical thought' behind their virtuosity, or in Baaba Maal's current compositions.
Born in 1953, Baaba Maal has had an interesting life and is entitled to some success by going his own way. He came from a village family of fishermen, not from a griot clan of traditional musicians, but he's not precisely 'self-trained'. His musical education includes formal conservatory studies. He has a lifelong friend, the blind griot Mansour Seck, who has sung on most of his recordings and who still accompanies him on tours. Mansour does little more these days than back-up vocals, but his mere presence adds an aura of humanity and tradition to Baaba Maal's stage performances. These days, Baaba Maal has a decidedly "rock star" stage presence, a bit of Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen about him, one moment brimming with enthusiasm but the next frowning with what looks a lot like disdain. He's become a "crowd stirrer" as much as a singer, and likewise his music has become a little monochromatically 'stirring', even when he sings a song with 'softness' implied in the lyrics. Using predominantly 'western' melodic instruments -- electric guitars and electric keyboard -- he has in effect jettisoned the scales and microtones of traditional Muslim African music. Likewise he employs a standard trap set of drums, like a jazz combo would, to frame his songs, while other members of his combo provide fireworks, physical virtuosity on the 'talking drums' and other African percussion. His drummers are very skilled, very exciting, but only on a momentary level. There's not really much 'musical thought' behind their virtuosity, or in Baaba Maal's current compositions.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By J. Vanzyl
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having been raises in Africa, I reach back to roots and have a substantial collection of African music. I have to admit that while I enjoy live shows, I'm often not that into full albums and have many I seldom listen too. Not so with this effort from Baaba Maal .... its a wonderful blend of African and contemporary, with a perfect balance between Baaba & Sabina's voices. Tindo Quando is especially haunting. Be warned: You likely won't be able to stop listening!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music
I began listening to a podcast ([...]) of Baaba Maal on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic last week and had to get up out of bed to share it with my husband and son. His music is completely arresting, layered with interesting instrumentation and voices. I downloaded Television and haven't stopped listening to it since. Plan to add every other Baaba Maal album to my collection.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Music
Great Service, arrived at time, just what I put in my order, good packing, and good price, thanks for this.
Published 1 month ago by J. Covacevic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
I usually pick out tracks I like from the CDs I buy to copy to my Zune. I chose all the tracks from this CD.
Published on December 14, 2010 by toe-Knee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
if you like melody and beat and a dreamy way to get out of yourself, give it a try---
Published on March 5, 2010 by Katya Cohen
1.0 out of 5 stars
Fulani Tradition gone Awry
It just seems that with each CD, although he still sings in the Fulani language, Baaba Maal tends to forget his Fulani roots with keyboard-like music. Read more
Published on December 27, 2009 by I. Okhamafe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Senegalese Music Sublime
Baaba Maal is probably the most well-known Senegalese musician and singer. In this album he outdoes himself. Read more
Published on September 26, 2009 by Bonnie Brody
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sounds
I heard this on NPR the other day and loved it so much that I had to come buy it right away. Best I have heard in new releases in this genre in a while. Read more
Published on September 24, 2009 by Zen Art Teacher
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