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Sound d'Afrique, Vol. 1
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| Price: |
4 new or used available from $89.99
Average customer review:
Track Listing
- Me Bowa Ya
- Massoua Mo
- Dounougnan - Kambou Clement
- Bo Mbanda
- Jalo - Etoile de Dakar
- Moboman
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #422442 in Music
- Released on: 1989-06-07
- Number of discs: 1
Customer Reviews
Astounding album
Bought this in 1981 when it first came out and still haven't found an afro compilation that tops it. With a mainly soukous focus and to my mind better than Sound D'Afrique 2 this was THE album that introduced African sounds to the english speaking world. I'm looking to get this on cd if at all possible as my vinyl version is all but worn out.
If you find a copy buy it!
Rich and varied sound experience
The first song, Me Bowa Ya by Mekongo from Cameroun, is a mid-tempo number with a bubbly beat and an enchanting mix of African and French vocals. The main lyric is in the African language and the chorus is in French, and it works so well.
Massoua Mo by Eba Aka Jerome from Ivory Coast is next, and this one has a long instrumental intro before the male vocal enters the mix. This single vocal is boosted by a chorus of many voices in certain parts while the string instruments become ever more engaging. Quite a stunner!
The next country is Upper Volta: the song Dounougnan by Kambou Clement has a lilting texture, intricate instrumental interplay and a soulful vocal with a spiritual undertone. Bo Mbanda by Pablo from Zaire is a beautiful melodious ballad full of yearning with absolutely breathtaking guitar parts and interesting vocal twists and turns.
The style changes drastically with Jalo by Etoile de Dakar from Senegal. This is a slow, mournful dirge with a Middle Eastern feel, soulful vocals and instrumentation dominated by what sounds like an organ. It sounds like a prayer set to music and is most compelling and memorable. The album concludes with Moboma, an uplifting slice of vocal pop by Menga Mokombi from Congo.
These unforgettable songs are all tuneful, catchy and rhythmically gripping. They demonstrate the opulent richness and variety of the African pop music of the early 1980s. I also strongly recommend Sounds d'Afrique vol. 2 for more of these wonderful African sounds from the early 1980s.
