Soukous in Central Park [LIVE]

Kanda Bongo Man

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 2, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B000000627
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,161 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #51 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Soukous
  #59 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Zaire & Congo

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When Kanda Bongo Man, the Paris-based Zairean superstar, performed in New York's Central Park last summer, the show was taped and then broadcast by National Public Radio's syndicated show, "AfroPop Worldwide." The central African singer with his trademark flat-brimmed hat is at his best before an enthusiastic crowd, so the radio show has now been released as an album, Soukous in Central Park. It's about the best introduction to Central African soukous and its fluid guitar arpeggios, tumbling polyrhythms and relaxed vocal chants as one could hope for.

Kanda Bongo Man's music is not all that different from other soukous performers, but he possesses two inestimable assets. First, his voice is so warm and creamy that even his exhortations sound easy-going. A song like "J.T." can be pushing forward at a fast and furious pace, but the singer glides through the melody with such assurance and perfect pitch that he induces the listener to relax into the beat as well. Second, Kanda Bongo Man has the good taste and star power to hire the best guitarists in Africa. He first went to Paris in 1979 with the brilliant guitarist Diblo Dibala (who now leads Loketo), and now he has unearthed another picker, Nene Tshakou, who's just as good. Tshakou's introduction to "Sai" is just one example of the fast, precise arpeggio playing that will impress guitarists even more than lay listeners. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This Live performance is a definite 5 Stars, April 20, 2004

By	Aremzy (Framingham, MA. United States) - See all my reviews

I don't know what the rest of these reviews are talking about, that the recording wasn't that good. The recording was excellent. I've listened to worse live performances.... Anyway, as far as i'm concerned, this is the best of all kanda's CD.

3.0 out of 5 stars Song selection is great, but recording is fair., December 9, 2002

By	B. Johnson "acaciatree" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was quite disappointed that Ryko would put out something that sounds like an amateur recorded it. With that in mind, maybe this was the only recording of this wonderful concert. The song selection is outstanding, however, highlighting Kanda's greatest hits. But again, the flat recording and lack of audience presence on the disk distracts from the harmonious event that happened that day in Central Park. If you are a fan, though, it is definitely worth a listen for its historical charm.

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar playing to make you grin ..., April 12, 2002

By	paul walsh (Hull , England) - See all my reviews

I came accross this cd in a second hand shop after only hearing one soucous compillation previously. I was gobsmacked by the never ending faultless virtuosity of the guitarist. More so because the emotional voltage was joyous and induced euphoria in listener and dancer.
My primary objective has become to create a band to play music like this.