Djin Djin (Africa)

 

 

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She is an astounding performer, a world renowned, Benin born, Grammy nominated singer. Her diverse music has won fans across the globe, as she effortlessly blends traditional African pop music with contemporary, modern grooves. She has been appointed as Good Will Ambassador by UNICEF, and performed her music in front of world leaders and dignitaries as well as millions of fans.

Her new CD, "Djin Djin" is a welcome return for this musical queen.

"I spent seven years following the roots of slavery to music -- America, Brazil and the Caribbean, Cuba also", said Kidjo, whose previous trilogy entries were 2002's "Black Ivory Soul" and 2004's "Oyaya!"

"I wanted to go back to where all that music came from. I wanted songs to be based on the rhythms of my country (Benin), so a lot of these songs started with the percussion and the chanting. It was intense, extensive work to do."

Ms. Kidjo is an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right, one who could easily sell millions of records at any given time. Any collaboration with the "hot" artist of the day, to help boost record sales is totally unnecessary. If any such artist were presented on a full length disc of hers, it would certainly help further establish and solidify Angelique's reputation.

That is exactly what happens with this CD, as Angelique shares the stage with several celebrity musicians including Romero Lubambo (acoustic guitar), Brandford Marsalis and Alicia Keys("Djin Djin"), Carlos Santana and Josh Groban ("Pearls"), Joss Stone ("Gimme Shelter") , Peter Gabriel ("Salala"), Ziggy Marley ("Sedjedo"), and African music legends Amadou and Mariam ("Senamou -(C'est L'amour)").

The result is a hybrid of musical styles and influences, all beautifully coming together. If you didn't have enough reasons to buy this CD before, you most certainly do now.

While the collaboration efforts are noteworthy and excellent, the real gems are found in the songs where Angelique is free to do her thing, unencumbered by making nice and sharing her vocal space with her guests. True, her work with Groban on the Sade reworking of "Pearls" is almost better than the original and it is one of the highlight songs of the album. But she also shines brightly on "Ae Ae" and she makes us feel so at home on the shuffling "Papa".

To top it all of, Angelique hands in a amazing rendition of the classical piece Ravel's "Bolero" entitled "Lonlon", bridging European classical music with African folk.

The album sounds incredible thanks to super producer Tony Visconti's guiding hand on the boards. With a clean and dry mix being applied, there is very little outboard effects and studio tricks on the songs. Every hand drum is heard with crystal-like clarity and every musician is heard clearly, making this one of the smoothest mixed albums heard in a long while.

My highlights : "Djin Djin", "Pearls" and "Awan N'La".

You will love it!

I have been a big fan of Angelique Kidjo for several years. I have seen her perform live (with Carlos Santana). I own all of her CD's. However, I don't buy Ms. Kidjo's CD to hear a potpouri of performers such as Alicia Keyes, Joss Stone, and Josh Groban which I would normally avoid. I am confused as to why this talented artist would include all these top 40 pop performers on her CD. Is she that desperate for North American acceptance? I am disappointed.

Kidjo is a terrific artist and this is a great CD with many wonderful highlights, but like her previous effort "Oyaya!", there are a couple throwaway tracks that decrease the overall value slightly. Here's a song-by-song breakdown.

1. AE AE - It's a good opener--bright, breezy, and catchy--but it's overly simplistic compared to the better tracks on the CD. It's certainly worth listening to, but it falls just short of brilliance.

2. DJIN DJIN - One of the best songs on the CD. It deftly blends elements of traditional African music with soul, R&B, and jazz into a complex and relaxing listen. Alicia Keys' vocals work surprisingly well within the context of the song, and Branford Marsalis' unique flavor of soprano sax infects the song deliciously.

3. GIMME SHELTER - I haven't actually heard the original Rolling Stones tune, but this makes me want to. It's upbeat and the vocal performances are energetic, and it manages to retain a certain angriness that seems appropriate considering the thematic material.

4. SALALA - A lovely little song. The guitar-heavy arrangement is unique and mezmerizing, and the tune is memorable. Peter Gabriel's voice seems a bit jarring at first, but he really grows on you after a while. One of my favorites.

5. SENAMOU (C'EST L'AMOUR) - This is certainly an interesting one. It has the strangest opening sequence of any song on the CD--perhaps, then, it is almost disappointing when it soon segues into a fairly ordinary song melodically. The arrangement style is difficult to pinpoint, though--perhaps African pop-rock with a Middle Eastern twist? Certainly worth listening to.

6. SEDJEDO - This one kind of reminds me of AE AE, but less energetic and less memorable. In other words, it's sort of a clunker. It clunks cheerfully, though, and Ziggy Marley does an admirable job.

7. PAPA - Another great tune. The arrangement effortlessly fuses funk, African music, and dance into a single unique sound, and it has a catchy melody to boot. Too bad it's overlong, and a bit too repetive--small scars on an otherwise flawless song.

8. AROUNA - This one's interesting, but it doesn't really fulfill its potential. The obvious Middle Eastern influence is intriguing, but it never really goes anywhere interesting, and seems to lack energy. Still, if only for the interesting arrangement, it's worth listening to.

9. AWAN N'LA - This one's pretty good. I don't really have too much of a strong opinion of it either way. It's certainly pleasant to listen to, but there's nothing about it that really grabbed me.

10. EMMA - I love this little song. It's got an interesting arrangement, with lots of steel guitars, contrasted by a light electric guitar, all in the context of a lullaby-like tune. A beautiful little gem.

11. MAMA GOLO PAPA - (see AWAN N'LA)

12. LON LON - Maybe the best song on the CD, and a true classic. It's got one of the most unique blend of styles on the CD--a little bit African, a little bit classical, and little a bit Spanish. The a-capella arrangement works brilliantly as well. A must-listen.

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