Warm Heart of Africa

The Very Best | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: GREEN OWL RECORDS
• ASIN: B002IW62LO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,022 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Yalira

2. Chalo

3. Warm Heart of Africa (w/ Ezra Koenig)

4. Mwazi

5. Nsokoto

6. Angonde

7. Julia

8. Mfumu

9. Ntende Uli

10. Rain Dance (w/ M.I.A.)

11. Kamphopo

12. Kada Manja

13. Zandziko

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supreme!, October 28, 2009

By 

A. Living Creature (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warm Heart of Africa (Audio CD)

This is an amazing album. I've been listening to this and the band's previously released free mixtape almost continuously for the past week. Esau, the singer from Malawi who is the center of the show here, has one of the most beautiful and warm voices I've ever heard. Infectiously happy, irresistible dance grooves, expansive and invigorating music. I played one track for my brother the other day, after he was skeptical of my superlative praise, and he just melted in the headphones. "The Very Best" is a truly appropriate name in this case, because they really live up to it.

Most of the songs are in Esau's native language, and I don't understand a word, but it doesn't matter at all, the feeling that comes across is everything. [Update: I just took a moment to read the digital liner notes with lyrics for each song translated into English, and my appreciation of this album has grown tremendously. It has become clear to me just how passionate and courageous these songs are in their meaning. It is clear that they come from the deepest place in the human heart.] Definitely the best music I've heard all year. Don't hesitate. The album is worth every cent. Actually, I'll now say that I would've happily payed double the purchase price for this. It's one of those things... I think it's been about five years since an album of music this refreshing entered my life. Support these guys! I'll be praying they're around to keep making music this good and better for a good long while.

Highest recommendation!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Very Best...indeed, October 28, 2009

By 

S. Bidwell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Warm Heart of Africa (Audio CD)

After falling in love with their mixtape last year, I'm pleased to announce The Very Best's proper debut album is worth every penny. As the title suggests, the album comes off as very friendly and light-hearted. Now, you must understand that this is all a leap of faith for me since a good majority of the lyrics are in a language that I don't understand. I'm making my assessment - for better or worse - based on the music.

There are two guest appearances on the album. The first is Vampire Weekend's lead singer, and the second is M.I.A. Both are very good. However I'm the real gems on this album are Nsokoto and Julia. Nsokoto actually took a few listens to sink in, and it's typically these songs which stay with me the longest. There's a lot bubbling beneath the surface of it. Julia is just plain fun -- it'll be stuck in your head for days.

In all, this album is very, very accessible. It might work best blasting in your car as you speed down the highway, but it's also something you can listen to through your headphones and relax in your reclining chair.

Also, I should add that I don't write many reviews for Amazon, but I'd like to do more in the future. I'm purposefully not saying too much about the music because I feel that these things are so subjective. However, if anyone wants to discuss particular songs in depth, please engage me in the comments section.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nutritious!, January 7, 2011

By 

Ann Z. (Maryland, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warm Heart of Africa (Audio CD)

This is one of those albums I play over and over and never tire of. I frequently pick up the booklet and am learning to sing along because the words and music are such a great fit ; it's like a dance for your mouth. With soaring harmonies, uplifting major chords, and rhythms that bounce and play, the musical structure of a lot of modern African pop makes me feel like I just transported onto a mountaintop overlooking a spectacular landscape. This album has that quality, augmented by a World-Indie approach to craftsmanship that makes it instantly digestible. All in all, this album is a powerful vitamin for my head and my heart.