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"Oumou" |
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ROOTDOWN COMMENT >>
Mali's Diva par excellence - a voice that melts and cuts in equal measure and a militant social commentator - the tunes on this are from her 90s output for World Circuit - mostly trad Wassoulou with a couple of more heavily produced numbers - all magic...
EDITORIAL REVIEW >>
This six-foot-tall goddess is indisputably one of modern Africa's greatest singers. Her magnificent, throaty alto and exotic yet accessible style have already won her an impressive international following. Oumou's lyrics are nearly as compelling as her voice and person; her open affirmation of female sensuality and diatribes against polygamy have irritated conservative elders but delighted her contemporaries. She is an exponent of the blues-like Wassoulou tradition, which takes its name from a province in Southern Mali. The region's music is based upon Asian-sounding five-tone scales and is usually accompanied by the resonant kamelengoni (a six-stringed hunters' harp) and searing, earthy fiddles, while jaunty polyrhythms are marked by wood drums, metal scrapers, and/or shakers. This double album constitutes an ideal introduction. It contains a twelve-track "greatest hits" package (picked from her first three albums, Moussoulou, Ko Sira, and Worotan) plus eight new tunes that have never before been available on CD. --Christina Roden
 |  | 'Ah Ndiya' |
| | 'Baba' |
| | 'Denko' |
| | 'Diaraby Nene' |
| | 'Djorolen' |
| | 'Djorolen (remix)' |
| | 'Dugu Kamalemba' |
| | 'Kayi Ni Wura' |
| | 'Laban' |
| | 'Magnoumako' |
| | 'Maladon' |
| | 'Mogo Te Diya Bee Ye' |
| | 'Ne Bi Fe' |
| | 'N'Guatu' |
| | 'Saa Magni' |
| | 'Sabu' |
| | 'Sigi Kuruni' |
| | 'Wayeina' |
| | 'Woula Bara Diagna' |
| | 'Yala' |
LISTENER REVIEWS >>
Oumou
To understand where Africa has been and where it's headed, it would be necessary to read volumes of history, to travel extensively, to watch the off-brand news services religiously, and to truly grasp a Van der Grinten projection map. A shorter way would be to listen to Oumou Sangare - songs detailing the old ways, not always kindly, and songs declaring the rights of the new times. She's been criticized by the establishment and lauded by her fellow countrymen. However, all of this is secondary to the fact that she can sing like nobody's business. Incredible arrangements, excellent band, startling vocal control and arresting melodies. This is what the American "divas" only dream they could pull off.
It got me hooked on Oumou
One of my favorite things about this album are the liner notes, which were written by Oumou Sangare herself. They really help me to appreciate the music better than I was able to before. There is a lovely humor and warm intelligence to her notes, and they are also quite informative about the various musical traditions in Mali and how they figure in the various songs. Also, she talks about the political commentary provided in the songs (in many of the traditional songs she added verses, for example), and how she sometimes sings traditional songs in an ironic way: all of that sort of thing is lost on a non-Malian listener unless it is explained.
This album compiles songs from her three previous albums, and adds eight new tracks. Some of my favorite things were new ('new' in the sense of 'not previously available on CD'). Although there is a five-song overlap between this and "Worotan" (the other Oumou Sangare album that I have), I don't mind too much. I do agree with the other reviewer who noted that this album is probably not essential for someone who already has all three of the previous albums; but if you've got only one, and you like it, I would get this by all means.
Simply great music
I have explored African music pretty seriously in the past few years. Oumou Sangare is quickly becoming my favorite African artist. A great blend of traditional instruments, confident lead vocals, and wonderful backing vocals. I have not heard the original 3 albums separately from this collection, but there are NO songs to be missed on this set. I suspect that holds for all her recordings. If you like any African music at all, you must check out Oumou.
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