- Audio CD (8 April 2002)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Decca (UMO)
- ASIN: B00005UW5X
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 67,909 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Yamore |
| 2. Iniagige |
| 3. Madan |
| 4. Katolon |
| 5. Souvent |
| 6. Moussolou |
| 7. Baba |
| 8. Ana Na Ming |
| 9. Koukou |
| 10. Here |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Golden Voice of Mali has occasionally been accused of bombast, but Moffou should silence that particular criticism. It's an exquisite return to roots, and a sharp contrast with the rock and funk grooves of his previous effort, Papa. While that album featured guests such as Grace Jones, Moffou kicks off with a rustically understated duet with Cape Verdean diva Cesaria Evora. It also reunites Keita with Guinean guitarist Kante Manfila, his old colleague from Les Ambassadeurs. Keita's own surprisingly skilled fretwork can be heard on the three solo guitar-and-voice tracks that punctuate the album. The singer barely raises his voice throughout and he's backed by a soaring chorus of five female singers. Together, their call-and-response interactions underline how closely Moffou brings him back to his Maninka roots, even though none of the songs are directly based on traditional tunes. The arrangements are largely acoustic, with local instruments such as kamalengoni (youth harp) and n'goni (the West African precursor of the banjo) featuring prominently alongside touches of accordion, piano, marimba and subtle percussion. The production bathes everything in an atmospheric patina of effects, which conjures up a sensuous sub-Saharan ambience. Though there are a couple of more upbeat songs such as "Madan" and "Koukou", this is essentially a rather calm reflective set. His best work since Soro, and a must for fans of stylish but unplugged West African music --Jon Lusk.
Review
Moffou marks a return to form for Mali's most famous male solo artist. Salif Keita's career appeared to be flagging slightly upon the release of 1999's lacklustre electro-based Papa. Here, he has wisely opted for an almost totally acoustic production. The combination of Mali's finest traditional instrumentalists with the cream of Paris' neo-classical and nu-jazz acoustic players is an uncommonly happy one.
Guitarists Djelly Moussa Kouyate and Kante Manfile are both long-term Keita associates from their days together in early Malian supergroupsThe Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs. They hit the 'jeli' (griot) groove right from the start.
The opener, 'Yamore', sets the seal: the song's romantic wistfulness is underlined by guest spots from Cap Verde's Cesaria Evora and Parisian accordionist Benoit Urbain.
Keita's own considerable skill as a guitarist in his three solo performances - especially 'Iniagige' - is in evidence throughout. The effortlessly rocking tempo of 'Madan' juxtaposes Malian fiddles and lutes against Camerounian Guy N'Sangue's funky electric bass and a driving West African percussion section.
The album has a consistent recording sound throughout. But it's a homogeneity that matures with repeated listenings into a shifting tapestry of rhythm and texture. For instance, the last two tracks, 'Koukou' and 'Here', share an almost Caribbean lilt. Closer inspection lays bare a strong Brazilian influence in the former, and an old-fashioned calypso edge to the latter, accentuated by Arnaud Devos' novel steel drum work.
The album has already achieved some of Keita's strongest sales to date and will undoubtedly figure highly in many 'best of 2002' charts. Highly recommended. --John Armstrong
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterpiece - The Album Is A Definite Classic,
By
This review is from: Moffou (Audio CD)
I have known Salif Keita since I was a child, but this is the first album I have ever bought. The quality and the beauty of the music on this album truly amazed me. 20 years from now this album will still be regarded as one of the best pieces of music Keita has ever produced. Just as Bob Marley's work is still highly regarded more than 20 years after it was made. Excellent buy.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
African music at its best,
This review is from: Moffou (Audio CD)
This is one of the best African CDs I've heard in a long time. Fortunately, the times of silly, artificial sounding studio instruments are over; instead, the music here is carefully recorded and mixed and tastefully arranged and played, using up-to-date studio possibilities. One has the feeling of being quite close to the musicians. The record sounds stripped down, in spite of up to more than 20 participants. Rarely has African music sounded so truly "World Music" - that is, relevant, as here. And, last not least, Salif Keita has got to have one of the most special voices now recording.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best,
By A Customer
This review is from: Moffou (Audio CD)
It really is a beautiful album which simply grows and grows on you.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews |
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
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?
