Customer Reviews

Via Jo

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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This album makes me think of a life in balance . . . with beauty, joy, gratitude,courage,humor and peace. "Mansani" is a beautiful tribute . . . I will use it as a wedding song . . a great reminder of what "comming together" is really about. From "N-Gej"'s prayer, the positive uplifting "Sutu Kun" and "Lee", to "Banana" (Ha!) to the strengthening "Fem" . . . and the music is STRONG no matter what genre you enjoy . . . the roots are here! This album is a CLASSIC . . . I would like to meet the people in the world who bought this album and truly love it . . . we all are connected in more ways than you may know . . . enjoy it!

I loved this CD when I first heard it, and over the years it has grown to be one of my favorite African albums. From the humor of "Banana" to the exquisite background choral vocals throughout, this is a total winner. Similar African artists include Lokua Kanza and Wasis Diop.

This recording by Vieux Diop (real name: Alioune), his second US release, is a great discovery for me (thanks to a sweet friend for hipping me to this and so many other memorable recordings) - it's an album that is filled with the sound and spirit of Africa, with only slight concessions to Western ears. Vieux Diop immigrated to the US from Senegal in 1983, and has been delighting listeners in this country ever since. His voice is smooth and filled with emotion (and humor in some songs), and the instrumental mix on this recording is a perfect accompaniment for it. He plays a couple of indigenous West African harp-like instruments - the kora and the dusunguni (I'm pretty sure that last one is a variation of the kora - if I'm wrong, I apologize in advance...) - and is joined on this recording by several fine American musicians, most notably producer Brian Keane (who has worked with dozens and dozens of fine musicians - jazz, African, Celtic, folk, &c &c &c...). The backing they provide supports Diop's songs beautifully - the touches they contribute are never overbearing, never `Westernizing' his music too much.

This is a smooth album - but full of life, never venturing away from the dynamic spirit that infuses each of the nine tracks. It might not be as `rough around the edges' as recordings straight out of Africa, but it's African music, nonetheless - and it would be a great introduction for someone who would like to broaden their musical horizons.

THIS ARTIST REALLY MOVES ME. THE MUSIC IS SO MOVING THAT ANYONE FROM ANY WALK OF LIFE COULD ENJOY IT.