In the World: From Natchez to New York

Olu Dara

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Original Release Date: February 17, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002JF9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,291 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Singer-trumpeter-guitarist Olu Dara has been knocking around New York City's jazz circles for almost 20 years. On "In the World" he embraces Caribbean rhythms, African highlife/socca riffs, and gut-bucket blues. Vaguely reminiscent of Taj Mahal's fanciful integration of world music and the blues, Dara consistently straddles urban and rural artistry. Sophisticated yet irresistibly down-home, this collection is festive, tuneful, and engaging. Songs like "Rain Shower" and "Natchez Shopping Blues" are clearly based in the American folk-blues idiom, while "Okra" and "Your Lips" are closer to an Afro-Cuban aesthetic. Dara's warm voice is limited but expressive, and his guitar playing fundamentally percussive. On the other hand, Dara's trumpet is unique and extremely lucid. This album comprises a fascinating tour of several musical cultures. --Mitch Myers

Living Blues

In the World ... covers a broad musical spectrum. The opening ... is a traditional street vendor's chant set to an Afro-Caribbean beat.... [On others] blues comes to the fore ... three tracks on which Dara plays electric guitar ... [managing] to sound at once sophisticated and archaic (and thus somewhat reminiscent of Taj Mahal).... Rapper Nas--Dara's son--takes the lead on "Jungle Jay" before the set concludes with [a] lullaby.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Jazz album after Kind Of Blue., June 19, 1999

By A Customer

Olu Dara is one of the greatest musicians out there right now. He is painfully underrated. Every single track on this album is perfect, from the street tales of "Jungle Jay"(featuring Olu's son, rapper Nas), to the funky blues of "Rain Shower". My favorite track on this album, though, is "Harlem Country Girl". On this song, Olu plays beautiful trumpet and sings well. Other great tracks include "Okra", "Natchez Shopping Blues", "Your Lips", "Zora", "Father Blues", and all the other tracks. They are all amazing tracks, and I can't wait for more Olu Dara music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great cd!!, December 7, 2000

By A Customer

Olu Dara is an excellent muscian and a great live performer. This CD was in my player for months. It captures a mixture of blues, the southern muscial trandition, and new york jazz. Each track is unique and features compelling story lines.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars like father like son, September 19, 2001

By A Customer

Im fairly young, so I grew up listening to Nas(olu Dara's son). But, out of curiosity, I bought Olu Dara's album. It was really great. I loved the mood or each song. My favorite song of course is the collaboration with Olu Dara and his son. Listening to this album I see where Nas got all of his musical skills from.