CD Review: Daby Toure's 'Amonafi'

Daby Toure 
Amonafi
Cumbancha

Daby Toure comes from Mauritania--a Saharan country in North Africa. However, his music is trans-African and even trans-global in nature. It is filled with catchy Afro-pop hooks from the get-go. He achieved worldwide fame with Stereo Spirit and Diam--and now Amonafi continues to celebrate his unique voicings and guitar styles. Many of the songs build upon earlier song styles on previous albums, but Daby creates all new music that is slightly different overall. There are a few very characteristic Daby Toure songs here, including "Oma," "Emma," "Little Song," "If You," "Debho," and "Soninko." Amonafi, which means, 'once upon a time,' in the Wolof language, is a great analogy to what Daby does best: tell stories in an infectious, musical pattern with diverse vocal ranges and scintillating guitar-work. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: 3-CD SET - Various Artists' 'Real World 25'

Various Artists
Real World 25 [3 CD]
Real World

Real World 25 is a three-CD set covering some of the best classics released from the label's two-hundred-plus recordings over the years. The third CD features music picked solely by fans. There are gems on here from groups including, Daby Toure, JuJu, Big Blue Ball, Sheila Chandra, Papa Wemba, Yungchen Lhamo, Spiro, Sevara Nazarkhan, and others. The other CD's feature music from Pape & Cheikh, Toumast, Daude, Farafina, Guo Yue, Syriana, Varttina, Mamer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Peter Gabriel, Adrian Sherwood, Ayub Ogada, Hukwe Zawose, Joji Hirota, and many others. There is music from areas as diverse as Uzbekistan, Burkina Faso, Sardinia, Zimbabwe, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, Uganda, Tibet, and other adventurous places. Simply put; every song is a hit and it is on this compilation for a reason. Anyone into world music and melodic interludes from far-off places will love this collection, which includes a twenty-eight-page booklet, forty-eight total tracks, and a host of memorable tidbits. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ahmed's 'Dhaalu Raa'

Ahmed
Dhaalu Raa
Asasi Records

Ahmed Nasheed hails from The Maldives--a tiny group of islands off the coast of India. Ahmed weaves melodies and rhythms of The Maldives with acoustic and electric guitars, drums, sax, percussion, bass, organ, and euphonium. The contemporary instruments are played right alongside traditional, percussion instruments, such as boduberu and dhandi. The soft and laidback "Dhiyaanaage Huvafen" is poignant and emotive with arrangements akin to Daby Toure of West Africa. The upbeat "Alifuthu" provides lots of log drum rhythms and rockin' guitars in a pop-focused arrangement. "Dhoni" contains great vocal harmonies and sweet guitar sounds in a classic, laidback melody that resembles world folk at its best. "Magumathi" is a jazzy and punchy tune with guitar rhythm rich in roots and fusion. "Manjemen" is another stellar track with soft vocals and light guitar work. The rock guitar elements electrify the notes on "Rasge." Overall, the songs are sweet and melodic with very inviting elements from an ocean community rarely heard in the West--or other places, for that matter. Think of Gurrumul meets Daby Toure. Take a trip to The Maldives and let Ahmed be your musical guide. ~ Matthew Forss