Customer Reviews

What About Me?

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

 

 

Hard to follow up the first one, which I put in my top 10 for the last decade. This one is less focused, more scattershot. One major criticism - too many of the "songs" devolve into rapping. And whereas the 1st album had songs that would meander a bit, too many of the songs on this one make complete about-faces mid-song, sometimes more than once in the same song. It's too much of throwing the kitchen sink and everything else into one 9:00 piece instead of just letting a groove flow and grow, but maintaining some refrain throughout, or at least returning full circle at the end. Am I getting too esoteric. Well, it's hard to describe this wild collage of music.

But my main complaint is: too much rap. I mean, 80% of the world has never even heard rap, so it really plays a minor role in the bigger picture - but obviously not to the 2 producers here. And especially when you have so many beautiful voices at play - why lazily let someone rap right over every song?? It takes the mood right out of the Middle East or Asia or Africa and puts it right back in Brooklyn. That would be okay once or twice but not on ALL 20 songs. It just reeks of pandering to the rich, white liberal KCRW crowd.

Overall, this just isn't as satisfying a journey as the first album. Where the 1st one felt very organic, effortlessly blending its disparate parts, this feels overly-thought out or clumsy. Definitely check out the work of the individual artists on here, though - Krishna Das, Baaba Maal, Yungchen Lhamo are some of my personal faves.

I enjoyed the first album a great deal. In fact, it's one of my favorites of all time. Which makes this second all the more disappointing.

I concur with the other reviewers, namely that there's far too much rap influence. Even worse, most of the songs are accompanied by talking in the form of New Age dribble. Just shut up and sing already.

Only one song redeems this as being a total failure and earning it a single star rating, "I've seen trouble." Awesome. Buy the single.

Not as god as 1 Giant Leap, but a great musical production!!! I love 1 Giant Leap message!!!

Este disco é absolutamente fantástico.
A música, as letras, o sabor, o cheiro, os sentidos todos à flor da pele.
Alguns sons arrepiam, tal é a intensidade que se desprende daquilo que ouvimos.
Talvez seja importante eu ter nascido em África para perceber estas sonoridades, mas qualquer humano ao cimo da terra será claramente sensível.
Aconselho vivamente a quem me lê: comprem, comprem, consumam, consumam! Não façam cópias, o booklet tem alguma informação interessante.

This is truly an amazing CD! It is a must for any world music lover.
Just start with the way it was created: someone wrote a few simple musical tracks and the film crew (2 brilliant dudes)travelled around the world looking for talented musicians, with an interest in the universal theme of human consciousness and evolution. Every time, a musician added his or her layer over the previous one, organically creating a stunning set of songs, where no one musician was more important than the other, all harmoniously joining together. Since all music is essentially a prayer, it makes sense to be listening to music that is grounded in genuine respect for all, cooperation, deep love for life and our inherent beauty.

This CD is so exquisitely woven, musically, thematically, visually (if you have seen the DVD). It combines brilliant musical talents, a vibrant tapestry of voices, instruments, photography, wisdom, telling the story of our common humanity and budding awareness of our divinity in sounds and images.

NOTE: I would watch the movie before listening to the music as some of the narrative is embedded at the beginning of many songs and it will help you better understand and enjoy the musical journey!

Truly transformational!

This release is on par with their prior. The music, the sound, the collaboration, the ideas are so deeply sensory. And I might add that Michael Stipes apprearing on both releases is amazing. I recommend this release and you SHOULD get their first release as well. It is so hard to find in the US. Go 1 Giant Leap. TELL YOUR FRIENDS :)

I've been a huge fan of Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman's work ever since One Giant Leap came out. Their blend of the different musical styles is seamless and breathtaking. What About Me isn't available in the US yet, for some reason, so I had to buy the imported CDs. Its a gorgeous album, as much a melange of styles as One Giant Leap. The tracks aren't as catchy, but lovely nonetheless. Solita Sin Solidad and Arrival are my absolute favorites.. and I love the Eckhart Tolle voiceovers. Its an album that radiates well being.