Sigil

Nuru Kane

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Riverboat
• ASIN: B000E6UX5W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,159 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Born in the Medina district of Dakar, Senegal, Kane's sound reflects an age-old connection between various Arabic cultures and those of West Africa, as Islam found its way below the Sahara even as black slaves were being driven North. Initially inspired by a visit to Morocco, where he encountered and became mesmerized by gnawa trance music played by descendants of his long-displaced cousins, Kane later mastered the guimbri, a three-stringed bass played by devotees of the sect. The present release, which was produced by Martin Swan of the noted Scottish folk band Mouth Music and recorded between Scotland and Paris, is redolent of the composer's ties to gnawa, Ali Farka Toure's Malian "blues" and the Mbalax created by Kane's famous countryman, Youssou N'Dour, all flavored by teachings of the Baye Fall, a dreadlocked Muslim brotherhood. Aside from the resonant, flexible beauty of the bandleader's baritone, the overall impression is of an almost regal confidence. It is plain in every note he sings that he knows exactly who he is and what he wishes to impart. Suffice it to say that the album is a must-have and Nuru Kane is definitely a force to be reckoned with. --Christina Roden

Product Description
Nuru Kane was born and raised in Medina, Dakar, and his distinctive take on Senegalese music explores the connections between the music of North and West Africa - a musical journey across the Sahara. This album captures Nuru's range of influences, from his blues-led solo songs, reminiscent of Ali Farka Touré, through to the driving gnawa trance that forms the backbone of his pulsating live performances. Unhindered, unrestricted and full of musical surprises, Sigil's instrumentation is primarily acoustic, but the results are electric.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, May 11, 2006

By	J. TIMMERMAN (Lawson, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dakar musician Nuru Kane's new album Sigil is fresh, distinctive and full of enthralling twists and turns. Produced by Mouthmusic's Martin Swan and recorded in his studio in the Scottish Borders district and in Senegal, the album seeks to capture the spirit of Nuru's entertaining live shows and the wide range of musical influences. They range from Senegalese dance music, to desert blues a la Ali Farka Toure, Afro-funk, reggae, mbalax, manding and gnawa trance.

It has succeeded in fine fashion. The feel of the album is natural and spontaneous like a live show and the variety of the chosen tracks display Nuru's adaptability and enormous talent. Nuru's singing, the harmony vocals and the ever-changing rhythms are all wholly seductive, aided by creative guitar playing and interesting use of percussion. There's a distinctively sensual narrative style in the ballads, which even includes talking, and longer numbers unfold naturally into different sections.

On this acoustic album Nuru plays the guimbri (three-stringed bass), guitars, percussion and sings. He is joined by his small band on oud, sanza, guitars, n'goni, tamas, percussion and a variety of vocal backing. Martin Swan adds some finishing touches on violin and accordion, and there's even a plaintive Welsh flute.

One of the features of the album is the fusion of North and West African music with the trance music of the Gnawan people, descendants of slaves brought across the Sahara. The guimbri is one of their chief instruments. Nuru Kane belongs to the Baye Fall brotherhood (that includes Cheikh Lo) so there's a spiritual Islamic element as well. Add all the other influences and the result is an energetic and uplifting musical experience.

Simple recording techniques have elegantly captured the colourful multi-layered sound brimming with confidence and life. Contemplative one moment, driving the next, the album takes the listener on an exhilarating journey. Awesome.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent -- finally Kane's music available on CD, April 30, 2006

By	K. Delaney - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Nuru Kane for several years has been a hidden gem of the French and U.K. music scenes -- now his songs are available on CD for the rest of us. This album should appeal to people who already know other wonderful West African performers -- such as Orchestra Baobab, Cheikh Lo, and Youssou N'Dour -- and others who are looking for an introduction to lively and often deep West African music. The album includes a range of music, from the blues-inspired Goree to the more pop-ish Diarama. You have to hope that this album will lead to a U.S. tour for Nuru Kane.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best collections of songs I have heard in a while, June 22, 2007

By	Tom Harper "berkeleyfoo" (Berkeley, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Original, so many influences in there- I wish there were more recordings of nuru kane's music- this transports you to a different place and time while still being clearly modern music. There are some times where it seems to fall into what I will call world music cliches- but frequently it transcends that- tracks 3, 7 and 12 are some of my favorites on this one, followed by track 1- and all for completely different reasons.

Highly recommended to any one who likes the blues or jazz or flamenco or reggae or ... check it out! Would love to see this music live!