|
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
|
Product Description
2011 debut album from African songstress who has worked with Afrocubism & Herbie Hancock! Rhythmic, sparse folk with elements of jazz, funk & pop.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This debut album is truly delightful. Combining lovely melodies with strong, simple rhythms, delicate guitar-playing and striking vocals, Fatoumata Diawara marks herself out as a rising star of modern Malian singer-songwriters. There are serious messages to a number of her songs (the lyrics are translated in the extensive liner notes), including Bissa (arranged marriage) and Boloko (female circumcision), but there is just as much of the bright & playful side of Fatou on Bakonoba and her ode to love - Kanou. The album has been beautifully produced, as you would expect from World Circuit, and that allows Fatou & her songs to simply shine.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Fatoumata Diawara - "The most beguiling talent to hit the world music scene in some time"
14 Oct 2011
Format:Audio CD
The autumn leaves are falling, you go to work in the dark and return in the dark and the winter chill seems poised to enter our lives. Why not therefore get a final blast of summer before the permafrost descends by purchasing this vibrant feast of Malian music from the brilliant Fatoumata Diawara who recently stole the show on Jools Holland. Hailing from Southern Mali and singing in her native Wassoulou language, Diawara determined to make it as an actress in Paris but found that the draw of music proved a far stronger primal urge. The loss to the Thespian profession is music lovers massive gain since "Fatou" is a stunning record full of colour, verve, rhythm and excitement. It is one of the best African music LPs you will hear but it is also much more than that. The swirling melodic guitars of this record combined with the multilayered vocals show a real soul/funk sensibility at work combined with lyrics which we are told pulse with the concerns of social justice not least denouncing arranged marriage and female circumcision. What some might see as a language barrier in terms of lyrical understanding actually adds to the sheer beauty of the record since it makes for an entrancing backdrop and the musical force of the songs carries all in their wake.
The laid-back funky opener "Kanou" is a fine start with its hypnotic vocal and pulsating bass interwoven with gentle acoustic guitar lines which dance around the song like a summer breeze. The second song in is "Sowa" which is irresistible and hugely commercial, indeed it is surprising that Western singers are resisting the temptation to draw inspiration from this deep well. One song which might just be the "first amongst equals" in album of standouts is "Bakonoba" which David Byrne would have died to record in Talking Heads and which draws in music from across the Atlantic in terms of the intoxicating mix branded with the label AfroCubism. It is utterly infectious and the African guitar playing the best this side of Tinarwaren . The mood quietens for the sumptuous guitar ballad "Alama" which was such as show-stopper on Jools Holland where you can see the elegant Diawara in all her glory. Another song "Willie" also plays to the more tender side of Diawara and the sheer emotion and range of Fatoumata Diawara's voice demonstrates a force of nature at work. The good old Daily Telegraph has described Diawara as "the most beguiling talent to hit the world music scene in some time". On the evidence of the entirety of "Fatou" and songs such as the brilliant closer "Clandestin" we are seeing yet another music artist from Mali poised for world domination which would be just reward for one of 2011's best albums.
PS Can I thank One more opinion for pointing out a silly typo in this original review posting.
The laid-back funky opener "Kanou" is a fine start with its hypnotic vocal and pulsating bass interwoven with gentle acoustic guitar lines which dance around the song like a summer breeze. The second song in is "Sowa" which is irresistible and hugely commercial, indeed it is surprising that Western singers are resisting the temptation to draw inspiration from this deep well. One song which might just be the "first amongst equals" in album of standouts is "Bakonoba" which David Byrne would have died to record in Talking Heads and which draws in music from across the Atlantic in terms of the intoxicating mix branded with the label AfroCubism. It is utterly infectious and the African guitar playing the best this side of Tinarwaren . The mood quietens for the sumptuous guitar ballad "Alama" which was such as show-stopper on Jools Holland where you can see the elegant Diawara in all her glory. Another song "Willie" also plays to the more tender side of Diawara and the sheer emotion and range of Fatoumata Diawara's voice demonstrates a force of nature at work. The good old Daily Telegraph has described Diawara as "the most beguiling talent to hit the world music scene in some time". On the evidence of the entirety of "Fatou" and songs such as the brilliant closer "Clandestin" we are seeing yet another music artist from Mali poised for world domination which would be just reward for one of 2011's best albums.
PS Can I thank One more opinion for pointing out a silly typo in this original review posting.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Joyful and reflective in equal measure, Fatou is a superb debut album by this hugely talented Paris-based Malian sensation. My album of the year for 2011, first impressions were confirmed when seeing her at London's Jazz Cafe. Fatoumata Diawara is simply superb - soulful vocals, delicate and intricate guitar playing, backed up by rythmic percussion - the album has everything. From the beautiful, reflective tracks, Wilile and Clandestin, to the catchy dance tracks, Bakonoba and Bissa (single from the album), this album has something for everyone who loves African music. Highly recommended
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fatou Fatoumata Diawara
Beautiful laid back sound. Lovely melodies. It's no surprise that the album has been in the 'best releases' lists.
If you like Rokia Traore this one is a cert.
If you like Rokia Traore this one is a cert.
Published 2 months ago by Mickyboy
good stuff
The album is just good. Consistent and solid, the ones that you like little by little and that at the end you cannot stop listening to. Fatou's voice radiates golden vibes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nicolo Tomaselli
music for the soul
I first saw Fatoumata Diawara on Jools Hollands Later and immediately ordered the album.
I was not disappointed - it is a beautifully simple and calming album which whilst not... Read more
I was not disappointed - it is a beautifully simple and calming album which whilst not... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kevw
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Music > Pop
- Music > World Music
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
