Customer Reviews

Toyebi Te

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

 

 

I've been looking for an album like this for years. Mellow, tribal, chanting, that you can still groove to a bit and sounds modern. It's a touogh combo to find (much less find done well), but Lokua Kanza pulls it all together perfectly.

Only two tracks are in english, "Good Bye" and "Come Back To Me." I was so drawn into the meditatative mood the other tracks evoke that these two were a bit of a turn off initially. I have since come to appreciate them every bit as much as the rest of the album. All the tracks are filled with a simple joy that's infections. I felt trasported to a happier, sunnier, more natural place. If you are looking for a laid-back listening experience that has many layers to explore then Toyebi Te is the album for you.

I must say thank you to the iTunes Music Store for offering a free track off this album awhile ago. Without it, this terrific album would have probably escaped my attention.

Late nite channel surfing led me to the World LINK TV channel and the video of Le Bonhuer from the Toyebi Te CD by Lokua Kanza...
I was mesmerized! Quickly capturing it with TIVO I then set about searching for a rebroadcast that I might record from the start.

That accompished and numerous veiwings later I had to have more from this Talented artist and so have purchased the CD here.
A treasure of original, wonderfully haunting melodies that transport and satisfy a pilgrim soul...a damn fine listen start to finish!

I also heard and recommend from the same broadcast, the cut:
Je pense a Toi from the Amadou et Mariam CD- "Sou Ni Tile" and have purchased it as well here at Amazon!

This is probably the most beautiful African music I've ever heard, it's so innocent, pure, and light. His beautiful voice has a huge range and he can do miracles with it - at times doing beautiful acapella vibes, at times doing R&B (Come back to me, in English) even in traditional languages (Nkolo akosunga), there's some hip hop thrown in there (J'ai pas choisi). Ndagukunda Tshane sounds like an ode to his mother, and although I didn't understand what it said it almost brought tears to my eyes. He sings his lyrics with so much sincerity and purity. On the other hand, Kumisaka nkolo is fierce, fast, and tribal. And so the album is quite diverse, and is a whole experience.

The music is clearly African, yet he is very eclectic, using English and French as well as traditional languages and exploring and incorporating many musical styles. Do acquaint yourself with Lokua Kanza if you're a fan of world music. You will always carry this experience with you.

This soft-spoken Congolese crooner combines soulful, jazz-tinged acoustic arrangements with a similarly modern vocal style, which incorporates strong hints of America's Bobby McFerrin and Brazilian MPB star Djavan. The style may be too slick for some, but it's inventive and consistently engaging. Folks looking for something nice and mellow from contemporary Africa might enjoy checking this disc out.

Lokua Kanza brings a lovely mix of styles and languages, rhythms and voices with Toyebe Ti. I'm glad I've met his music on Last.FM! If you need to know more of a favourite genre or get to know music you normally wouldn't find, go to last.fm., it'll bring you new tastes and differentation.