CD Review: Lorraine Klaasen's 'Nouvelle Journee'

Lorraine Klaasen
Nouvelle Journee
Justin Time Records

Hailing from South Africa, Lorraine Klaasen releases a new album of South African music, aptly-titled, Nouvelle Journee. The vibrant album artwork is only the beginning. The music is equally vibrant and rich in musical textures, harmonies, and instrumental arrangements. Lorraine's commanding vocal tone is melodic. The instrumentation is nothing short of amazing, as the accordion, bass, guitars, percussion, piano, and organ provide a slew of catchy arrangements. The rippling guitars on "Ke Tshepile Bafatsi," showcase Latin and Congolese influences. The R&B influences are not forgotten either, as "Home Sweet Home" conjures up images of Southern blues, gospel, and jazz. Though, upbeat music is Lorraine's specialty. Nouvelle Journee is a very classic, and contemporary album that touches the human spirit with a legendary and unforgettable voice. ~ Matthew Forss    

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Mozambique'

Various Artists
Mozambique
Wired For Sound

The compilation of musicians from Mozambique is a great release that showcases various musical styles that are both contemporary and infectious. The pop connotations are evident, but there is also a good degree of blues, soukous, zouk, and Afro-pop arrangements and influences. Over a dozen fresh artists contribute to this new release funded by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). You will hear Million Isaac Junior, Marcelino Banda Mpombeza, Alfredo, Harry Potter (yes, a band), Minesterio Evanjelico De Mbonje, Chaisoni Bicaus Bandeira, Atija, and many others. The music incorporates Congolese rhythms, Portuguese influences, and Mozambique melodies that are very vibrant and memorable. Seventeen different tracks represent a hearty mix of easy listening and toe-tapping responses. Nothing is a miss here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca's 'La Rumba SoYo'

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
La Rumba SoYo
Cumbancha

With ties to Congo, Angola, and the United States, Ricardo Lemvo and his Makina Loca band continue to put out Afro-Cuban hits. La Rumba SoYo is another fine example of Ricardo's uncanny way of producing and performing amazing music with ease. Due to Africa's various musical influences and origins, Ricardo incorporates some Angolan contemporary music with Congolese guitar rhythms, and Portuguese-tinged tunes with unforgettable consequences. There is a star-studded cast of musicians involved in the production of the album, including Mario Aguilar, Jose Papo Rodriguez, Danta Pascuzzo, Yordan Martinez, and about two-dozen other artists. The Los Angeles-based Ricardo spices the music up with rumba, salsa, and contemporary grooves that are Afro-pop and Afro-Cuban. All eleven tracks are sure to please fans of African music everywhere! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Guinea's Fode Baro Releases a "Mandingo Afro Zouk" 'La Verite'

Fode Baro
La Verite
Lusafrica

The Afro-pop stylings of Fode Baro stems from a combination of Afro-pop tunes and energetic zouk infuences. The rippling guitars are akin to Congolese constructions, but the compositions seem to exude the entire continent of Africa in song, voice, and instrument. La Verite is an eleven track release with catchy, stirring, and energetic tunes with a contemporary vein. This is not a dance or rap album. Instead, Fode explores various sounds and rhythms that create moving melodies from France, as well as his homeland of Guinea. There are lively synths, drums, electronic voicings, and brass sounds that create nothing but a happy response. The real highlights come from "Fago" and "Pourquoi Me Quitter." However, all of the songs are rousing and memorable. Fans of Afro-pop, Guinean contemporary music, and zouk-tinged music will love Fode Baro's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Staff Benda Bilili's 'Bouger Le Monde!'

Staff Benda Bilili
Bouger Le Monde!
Crammed

The paraplegic street musicians from Kinshasa, DRC, have once again charmed the world with another fine album, Bouger Le Monde!, which means, 'to move the world.' Staff Benda Bilili knows how to make the world move and shake their hips to the soukous rumba of the guitars, percussion, and vocals. The effort is also produced by Vincent Kenis (of Congotronics fame). The eleven tracks are energetic, percussion-heavy, and African-rich with loads of melodic sensibilities. The music contains bass, drums, guitars, and a satonge, which is a metal can with a metal string attached. The resulting sound resembles an electric guitar wail, but the sound is very earthy, but magical. The rickety rhythms and glorious vocals are outstanding and worthy of praise the world over. Get your bodies moving to the sounds of Staff Benda Bilili. They will change the world for the better. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga's 'Maisha Ni Matamu'

Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga
Maisha Ni Matamu
Virunga Records

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Samba Mapangala has since worked in Uganda, Kenya, and the USA. Samba's Orchestra know how to entertain smooth, hip-swaying guitar lines that echo the golden era of soukous music. The Latin-influenced and Caribbean-tinged compositions reflect Central Africa's historical link to the Caribbean and Latin American regions. The jazzy, "Zanzibar," features guest vocals from Tanzanian vocalist, Bi Kidude. Not only is the album sweet, the title even connotes that "life is sweet." The swaying rhythms of the vocal track, "Jirani," provides a luscious array of rumba/reggae melodies. The upbeat and jazzy "Nipigie Simu" is a writhing hit that inspires one to dance the night away and never look back. Despite the forty-minute length, the music is varied, danceable, and rhythmic. Not to mention, the music carries on the rumba, soukous, and Afro-Latin musical connections that have put central Africa on the map. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Black Bazar's 'Black Bazar'

Black Bazar
Black Bazar
Mabanckou

Modogo & Sam are Modogo Abarambwa and Sam Tshintu, respectively. As purveyors in the Congolese music scene, they attempt to bridge the gap between Cuban and Latin rhythms with the soukous sounds of Congo with their band, Black Bazar. The result is a musical project that sheds the drum machines and techno trance of contemporary society with a raw and spirited selection of songs with bass, piano, percussion, and guitars leading the way. Black Bazar shines with the rumba sounds of Havana and the sparkling, rhythm guitars of Kinshasha. Despite the album artwork looking like something from the TV show Mad Men, Black Bazar livens up any situation with vibrant colors of love and dance. The ten tracks represent nearly an hour of listening pleasure. Anyone with an interest in Cuban rhythms and central African music will cherish the vocal harmonies and bright instrumentation. This is a timeless recording. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Niwel Tsumbu's 'S'All Vibrations'

Niwel Tsumbu
S'All Vibrations
Self-Release

Congolese-native and Ireland-based, Niwel Tsumbu, creates music with an Afrocentric base that is peppered with rumba, flamenco, and jazz, and seasoned with a dash of soukous. Singing mainly in Lingala, English, and French, Niwel transforms Congolese classics and original compositions on guitar and percussion. The music is generally very energetic and steeped in African musical traditions. Niwel is very accessible to listeners of contemporary African music. Moreover, the rumba elements will excite the Latin and flamenco listeners. As with many soukous songs, the length typically runs 5 or more minutes--and this is exactly the case with Niwel. There are lighter moments that are more reflective, such as "Freezing Cold." Perhaps the fastest song on the album might be "Heartbeat," which is a funky, groove-ladened romp into the Central African abyss. The music is diverse enough to be enjoyed by any African music fan. Niwel is top-notch all the way! ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Baloji's 'Kinshasha Succursale'

Baloji
Kinshasha Succursale
Crammed

Baloji is a hip hop and rap talent hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium. However, Baloji's rap influences are not as strong as the soukous, afro-pop, and funky dance rhythms that permeate the album from top to bottom. Additionally, Baloji employs collaborations with guest musicians, including Konono No. 1, Monik Tenday, Larousse Marciano, Moise Ilunga, Bebson De La Rue, Zaiko Langa-Langa, and others. The contemporary album contains a hint of rock, Latin, European, and electronica with equal amounts of hip hop, rap, and funky wordplay with drumkit, guitars, and percussion from Africa. Baloji sings in Swahili. The opening cha-cha track, "Le Jour D'Apres," represents a solid, influential genre of music throughout Central Africa. The diverse melodies, rhythms, and genres represented make Kinshasha Succursale a definitive recording for the Congolese music collector and afro-pop aficionado alike. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Join Congo's Staff Benda Bilili

Staff Benda Bilili
Tres Tres Fort
Crammed

The band's name is taken from "Benda Bilili" which means "look beyond appearances". Interestingly, the band is comprised of paraplegic street musicians from Congo. They hail from a land of diverse languages, including Kikongo, French, Portuguese, Lingala, and Kituba. Tres Tres Fort shares their musical talents on guitar, bass, vocals, and a unique one-string lute called a satongue. Eight musicians in all comprise Staff Benda Bilili. The instrumental parts are fairly simple, yet engaging. The simplicity is far from banal, as many of the tunes incorporate the rumba and funk rhythms of Latin America or breezy melodies from the Madagascar coast. In fact, you will hear a hint of Orchestra Baobab and the Bedouin Jerry Can Band. The acoustic rhythm is top-notch and the vocals are sincere. Overall, Tres Tres Fort is a pleasant listening experience free from any handicap whatsoever. ~ Matthew Forss