- Audio CD (29 Jun 1998)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Palm Pictures
- ASIN: B0000248VT
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 110,263 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
It can be a bit like when you've got your mum staying over and you pop out to get some milk; by the time you've returned, a particularly houseproud tornado has gone through your house, violently cleaning everything in its path. This, in essence, is what happened to Baaba Maal's sound in the late 1990s. Once upon a time, you were able to sense the humid bustle of Senegal in Maal's work. Compare, say, the visceral, organic Afrofunk of 1994's Firin' In Fouta to 1998's Nomad Soul and the problem becomes clear: the latter sounds a bit rootless. Though it's tempting to blame the producers (there are several, including Brian Eno and Howie B), Nomad Soul also suffers from Maal's tendency to over-elaborate a lumpen groove at the expense of melody--"Douwayra" and "Mbolo" suffer especially as a result. Nits duly picked, it should be emphasised that Maal can rarely go too far wrong as long as there's plenty of room for his awesome pipes and the guitar of perennial sidekick Mansour Seck to be heard. It's on more meditative excursions such as the blissful "Cherie" and "Koni" that Nomad Soul truly finds its voice. --Peter Paphides
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Suffers from the problem of many recent world music offerings that they water down what made the artist interesting in the first place... Do we need Irish singing alongside Babba Maal's vocals? No thank you Mr Producer. Please stop it. When everyone else stops interfering, as on the slow tracks at the end of the album, some of the true talent of Baaba Maal can be heard. Too late to save the album
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It has been my luck to see Baaba Maal live on two occasions in two different countries. What a voice, what a presence!! Baaba Maal has a voice that is difficult to describe but once heard you will not forget. This CD is a great mix, brilliant west african beats with loads of energy & one or two slower haunting numbers. I could not recommend it more highly - and if you get a chance, see the live version.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Not his best, but groovy
26 Nov 2001
Format:Audio CD
Like his fellow Senegalese countryman Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal has become one of the most important African musicians in the world today. I have been a Baaba Maal fan for a long time now, and have followed his career over the years. The first album I bought was "Baayo", which was released in 1991. Then came "Firin' In Fouta" in 1994. "Nomad Soul" was first released in 1997. His long time companion, Mansour Seck, who has launched his own solo career in the last few years, seems less prominent on this CD.
Over the years Baaba Maal's music has become progressively more "mainstream", no doubt opening more markets to his music. "Nomad Soul" is no exception, though the tradisional sound is still strongly evident in tracks such as Mbolo, Cherie. Other songs, like Souka Nayo and Fanta have a much stronger pop influence, while tracks like Guelel and Yiriyaro have that strong traditional and dance blend which has become characteristic of Baaba Maal's music. The last track, Lam Lam, which is a religious song about what the future might hold, is my favourite on this album. It's interesting combination of sounds along with its devotional melody/voice line does it for me.
In a way I prefer Baaba Maal's older recordings. Don't get me wrong. I am not a purist when it comes to "ethnic" music. If music stays closed to outside influences, it may end up in a museum, after all. Music is there to be listened to. But "Baayo" is still my personal favourite Baaba Maal CD. I especially like the track Diahowo in which the tension is built up to a climatic and finally inspirational release. "Firin' In Fouta" was more dancy, and features a few tracks through which it is impossible to sit still.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A few really good tracks; Otherwise disappointing
5 Sep 2004
Format:Audio CD
Baaba Maal is one of Africa's, and the world's, most amazing and spellbinding talents. I own and have played his previous albums many times, and have captivated friends and guests with the surging rhythms and soaring vocals of his music. But I'm afraid that on this disc some record company execs got wind of his talent and said, "Let's make him commercial." How else to explain the syrupy sound of the opener, "I Will Follow You," or the poppy beats and production of "Africans Unite," "Fanta," and "Douwayra?" The good news is that five of the other tracks are pure, undiluted brilliance, Baaba Maal at his usual best. The closer, "Lam Lam," was produced by Brian Eno, and has lots of droning synths and horn-like sounds, meant I guess to sound like nomads in the desert. It's interesting, but at twelve minutes is way too long and in parts lacks energy. Buy it or not? Certainly get Baaba Maal records and enjoy his phenomenal work, but get his great earlier discs, like Missing You and Baayo, first. Then if you're hungry for more, like me, get this one too, and listen to it selectively.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Okay
4 May 2000
Format:Audio CD
Baaba Maal is arguably one of the greatest African vocalists ever to acheive international renown. Here on this collaborative album of bland pop and Celtic fusions. His distinct brilliance becomes submerged to lesser singers and you want to throw the CD against the wall in frustration. This does not mean the album is bad compared to lesser mortals this would be a great album and you still get the incredible Fulani melodies flowing through especially with his more successful reggae fusions. It is just that this album has allowed the other performers rather mediocre sound to dominate Baaba Maals on several songs. I would still recommend this CD because it has diversity but for Baaba Maal purists this will be a thorn in the side
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