Worldbeat

The diversity represented by Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, Joss Stone, Branford Marsalis, producer Tony Visconti, and the others who contribute to DJIN DJIN speaks to the lesson of this project: For all the differences in the music of our time, the river of Africa flows through it all.

The key was to build DJIN DJIN on a Beninese foundation. The heartbeat, then, comes from percussionists Crespin Kpitiki and Benoit Avihoue, both members of Benin's GangbÃ© Brass Band. Details of their country's rhythmic heritage, specific in some cases to individual villages, feed the rhythms they lay down throughout the album.

To this mix Kidjo welcomes players whose backgrounds complement the idea of DJIN DJIN: drummer Poogie Bell, known for his work with Erykah Badu and Chaka Khan; funk keyboard wizard Amp Fiddler, whose credits include Prince and George Clinton; Larry Campbell, whose multi-instrumental work has adorned the music of Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, and Paul Simon; Senegalese bass giant Habib Faye, a fixture with Youssou N'Dour; guitarists Lionel Loueke, from jazz legend Herbie Hancock's band; Romero Lubambo, a Brazilian wonder whose credits include Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves; Joao Mota, from Guinea-Bissau and kora master Mamadou Diabate.

Produced by Tony Visconti. (David Bowie, T. Rex, Morrissey)

Customer Reviews:

Maybe 4.5 stars, but still stellar.......2007-07-01

Angelique Kidjo's amazing whether she's covering Hendrix in "VooDoo Child" or singing West African tunes. Her roots are much wider than just her country of origin. It'd be hard for me to name a favorite among these gems. I love the people she's selected to work with. "Gimme Shelter" with Joss Stone may be the kind of duet that's going to propel her right up to the top of the charts where she belongs. Smart move, lady, for sure, but I also love the songs where Angelique sings her own music alone.

Soulful West African soul.......2007-06-22

Angelique Kidjo is one of those rare artists who has the Midas touch. No matter who she's performing with, no matter what she's performing, she makes beautiful music. While "Djin Djin" can be considered one of her more mainstream albums, she still proudly shows her African roots. In a sense,it's not surprising it's sold alongside coffee at Starbucks; "Djin Djin" is as potent as a cup of steaming java.

The opening "Ae Ae" is anthemic;it's a power ballad in which Kidjo calls on her fellow Africans to be self-sufficient. The title track is a jazzy collaboration with Alicia Keys and Branford Marsalis. It's Benin meets the Big Easy. Kidjo does an amazing cover of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" with Joss Stone. The '60s British Invasion gets an African makeover,transforming it into a tribal rave-up. Kidjo and smoky-voiced Peter Gabriel complement each other in "Salala." A thumb piano gives "Senamou" a deeply African flavor. "Sedjedo", a duet with reggae heir Ziggy Marley, doesn't quite work. Marley is relegated to the sidelines. However, Kidjo's rousing singing saves the piece. The same goes for "Pearls." Josh Groban's operatic voice is unsuited to the style of the song. It's Afropop meets Latin rock (since Carlos Santana plays the guitar),not the Three Tenors or Il Divo. Kidjo's amazing singing again saves the song from becoming a novelty song. In "Papa","Arouna","Awan N'La","Emma" and "Mama Golo Papa" Kidjo shows she doesn't need collaborators. She's still going strong since her debut in 1990. She covers difficult issues such as marital conflict and divorce soulfully. Finally, in "Lonlon" Kidjo transforms Ravel's annoying and overplayed "Bolero" into rousing,toe-tapping Afropop. Instead of being filler or a song worth skipping, "Lonlon" serves as a grand finale.

Angelique Kidjo is accomplished,as a person and as an artist. She is a UN Goodwill Ambassador;she has her own charity,Batonga. In Bono's guest-edited issue of "Vanity Fair" about Africa, Harry Belafonte praises her activism. Angelique Kidjo's music is truly angelic. "Djin Djin" is a great introduction to her music, and is a perfect mainstream introduction to African music. It's as rousing and flavorful as a good hot cup of coffee.

First Introduction To Angelique Kidjo.......2007-06-20

This is my first introduction to any of Angelique Kidjo's music. I bought this compact disc for myself as a birthday present based on the reviews it has received and listening to the short musical segments found on Amazon.Com.

After recently listening to "Djin, Djin" on a 4 hour road trip, I feel in love with the music & lyrics! The music is fantastic and varied from song to song.... Angelique Kidjo is phenomenal as an artist. I also enjoyed the musical guests performing on "Djin, Djin" too. This compact disc is perfect as background music while long distance driving, at home relaxing, during dinner parties, etc.

Not as good as Black Ivory Soul - but still enhoyable.......2007-06-11

This is a good release, with many guests on it, but not quite as accessable as the Black Ivory Soul CD. However, it will get you up and moving.

Who Knows?.......2007-06-08

I would love to review this CD by never received my order from Amazon. Nor have I received a credit either. I doubt I will ever order anything from Amazon again.

Average customer rating:

Alone In IZ World is worth a look
IZ
Relaxing and beautiful
Excellent CD
IZ, IZ, IZ!

Alone in IZ World
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Manufacturer: Mountain Apple Company
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Facing Future
In Dis Life
E Ala E
Ka 'Ano'i
IZ in Concert: The Man and His Music

ASIN: B00005O4UG
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Mona Lisa
Kaleohano
'Ulili E
Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy and Ka Huila Wai
Hi'ilawe
Henehene Kou 'Aka
Ahi Wela / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
'Opae E
Starting All Over Again
Over the Rainbow
Panini Puakea
La 'Elima
In This Life

Amazon.com

The artist behind Facing Future, the top-selling Hawaiian album of all time, the late Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole was possessed of a voice so sweet, so tender, and so lovely that it continues to deeply stir those who hear it long after he died. Lovingly assembled and notated by producer Jon de Mello, Alone in IZ World is comprised of both alternate versions of Kamakawio'ole's best-loved songs as well as tracks never before heard by the public. The latter category includes versions of "Hanohano No Na Cowboy," the playfully incomplete opening on "Mona Lisa," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," on which IZ takes a rare turn at harmonizing with himself. In light of his premature passing, devastatingly beautiful alternate cuts of "Starting All Over Again" and "In This Life" are especially poignant. And "Over the Rainbow"--IZ's renditions were heard in Meet Joe Black and Finding Forrester--may never again sound so pure. --Paige La Grone

Album Description

new songs * enhanced arrangements * unplugged performances * on a cd-rom featuring photo gallery, bio, national and local press coverage, IZ sightings, screen saver and catalog

Customer Reviews:

Alone In IZ World is worth a look.......2007-07-05

This was the first Israel Kamakawiwo'ole cd I had listened to. I think despite the fact that at least one of the songs (Mona Lisa) wasn't finished it's an excellent CD. The song "Somewhere over the Rainbow" is a beautiful Hawaiian rendition of an old Classic. The CD is lighthearted, fun, and introspective at times, offering a track with audio from Iz talking about his battle with obesity (something hardcore Iz fans might enjoy). The word: if you have all of his CD's and love IZ get this one, if this is your first purchase, buy another and work your way up to this one later.

IZ.......2007-06-28

This is a special type of recording that not everyone would care for. It is what I would call a Kamaaina type of CD; i.e., if you like down home Hawaiian style, it's great. Having lived in HI for over 18 yrs, I really dig it. The reason I say this is that it's the type of recording that's rather "off-the-wall." There's false starts, talking and just plain uke strumming and picking up words as he goes along, but it's real. These are recordings as they actually happened rather than having been rehearsed. For those that have sat around a bonfire eating pig and poi, listening to uke players, I'm sure they will enjoy it!

Relaxing and beautiful.......2007-06-27

The tracks on this album are beautiful from Iz's rendition of "Mona Lisa" to the now familiar "Over the Rainbow". What is most haunting is hearing Iz speaking on several tracks, especially his views about death and losing his family members. A definite must have.

Excellent CD.......2007-05-27

I love this cd. I've owned it for over 5 years. I bought this copy for my mom, whom adores his version of "Over the Rainbow". If you ever want to mentally transport yourself to Hawaii, this is the way. Love it!

IZ, IZ, IZ!.......2007-05-12

Since I am not from Hawaii I don't profess to identify with the political and cultural aspects of IZ's music, so all I can really say is that I find IZ's music just plain nice to listen to, especially when its just him and his uke. Need to relax, need to kick back and drift away to the Islands then this will do it for you. Get rid of the pills and pick up a dose of IZ to calm the tensions of the day. Of course you'll have to resist going out to purchase a one way ticket to Hawaii.....or will you?

Average customer rating:

Shania Twain - Greatest Hits
Love it!
JUST what I was looking for!
Lori Virginia
Excellent Voice

Shania Twain - Greatest Hits
Shania Twain
Manufacturer: Mercury Nashville
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0002Z1EG2
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Forever and For Always
I'm Gonna Getcha Good
UP!
Come On Over
Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
That Don't Impress Me Much
From This Moment
Honey, I'm Home
You're Still The One
Don't Be Stupid
Love Gets Me Every Time
No One Needs To Know
You Win My Love
I'm Outta Here
The Woman In Me
Any Man Of Mine
Whose Bed Have Your Boots
Party for Two' (with Mark McGrath)
Don't!
Party for Two (with Billy Currington)
I Ain't No Quitter

Amazon.com

Shania Twain--recluse, happily married, mother of one--has sold more than 40 million albums with flirty, hook-laden, beat-heavy, country-tinged pop that has all the subtlety of a musical wet T-shirt contest, yet is as irresistible as Swiss chocolate and Pringles. There are a few heartfelt, moon-in-June love ballads on this generous and long-awaited 20-song collection, which includes three new songs along with all the predictable chart-toppers and near-chart-toppers. But it's the mostly nonstop, uptempo booty-shakers--too often with garish overproduction and vapid lyrics--that, for the unconverted, tend to run together after a while. No doubt, this relentlessly upbeat retrospective will keep Twain's millions of fans jumping up and down on their sofas. --Bob Allen

Recommended Contemporary Crossover

LeAnn Rimes, This Woman
Faith Hill, Faith
Dixie Chicks, Top of the World Tour

LeAnn Rimes, Blue
Faith Hill, Breathe
Martina McBride, Martina

Customer Reviews:

Shania Twain - Greatest Hits.......2007-06-08

This CD is greatest. Her music is very moving. This is now my greatest CD. I am very glad I chose this one. You will not be disappointed at all.

Love it!.......2007-04-30

This album has alot of my favorites, plus the 2 versions of "I'm Having a Party", and "I Ain't No Quitter". The guitar play in "Quitter" is so good-extremely catchy! I love, love, love "Ain't no Quitter" and don't understand why it didn't have more airtime. And "Having A Party" just makes you want to move - it's so totally upbeat. Plus all the other songs-I love all of her music, so it's hard for me to pick favorites. I have all of Shania's albums and download them onto miy MP3 so I can hear them while I work out, etc. I'm anxiously waiting for her to give us another album! BUt this is a great one to buy and enjoy.

JUST what I was looking for!.......2007-04-21

No, seriously, this is GOOD! I got some birthday money and I wanted a Shania Twain album, but I wanted all her best songs on one CD. Then, this came out: It had all the songs I wanted and then some! It is just awesome. She has a great voice that's easy on the ears, her lyrics really flow together, and her songs are in a variety of sounds - not just all sound the same, like SOME of the artists you get these days!
And my aunty and my mum like her, so finally I can play some music I like in the car without being griped at!
A fantastic album, everyone whos loving pop and/or country music should sooooooo get this!

Lori Virginia.......2007-04-03

I think this is a great cd with a variety of her greatest hits all on one cd

Excellent Voice.......2007-01-12

This is a must for all Shania Twain lovers. Her voice is so wonderful, the songs are so uplifting, don't let this stay out of your collection.

Average customer rating:

Paul Simon - King of Recycling
The Definitive Collection
Nearly flawless
Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al

The Essential Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best Of

ASIN: B000Q677E0
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

Mother And Child Reunion
Loves Me Like a Rock
Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
Duncan
Kodachrome
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Slip Slidin' Away
Gone At Last
Something So Right
Late In the Evening
Hearts And Bones
Take Me To the Mardi Gras
That Was Your Mother
American Tune
Peace Like a River
Stranded In a Limousine
Train In the Distance
The Late Great Johnny Ace
Still Crazy After All These Years

Tracks:

Graceland
Diamonds On the Soles Of Her Shoes
The Boy In the Bubble
You Can Call Me Al
Under African Skies
The Obvious Child
Born At the Right Time
The Coo, Cool River
Spirit Voices
Adios Hermanos
Born In Puerto Rico
Quality
Darling Lorraine
Hurricane Eye
Father And Daughter
Outrageous
Wartime Prayers

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Paul Simon - King of Recycling.......2007-07-03

The quoted section of this review was originally written by me about Simon's previous greatest hits compilation ("The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin'") in 2003:

"Since going solo about 1970, Paul Simon has released (maybe) 7 albums of new material.

"And about a dozen greatest hits or live packages.

"(Live Rhymin', Greatest Hits Etc, Negotiations & Love Songs, Concert in Central Park, Shining Like a National Guitar, + a box set & at least 5 Simon & Garfunkel repackages, for those who doubt me.)

"Listen, I love Paul's music, but Graceland was recorded before Avril Lavigne was born, and only the die-hard Simon fans can rhyme off anything significant he has released since then."

"If they were going to release yet another GH package, why didn't Columbia follow the recent tradition of the 2-CD "The Essential" series, and at least "Keep The Customer Satisfied". That way they could have filled 1.5 CDs with tracks from his first album, Still Crazy, Rhymin' Simon, and Graceland, and still had 40 minutes for more recent works that, frankly, fewer people care for."

"Or maybe that's in the works for his 13th repackage. In about 2 years, at the current rate.
-- End of old review quote.

Other than my timing being off by 2 years, that's exactly what has happened. Columbia seems to have listened to me.

The 13th reshuffling of Paul Simon hits is, thankfully, the best. Add in the Simon & Garfunkel Old Friends boxset and you've got his career nicely covered.

The Definitive Collection.......2007-06-28

Maybe the Essential Paul Simon Collection should hve been titled, The Definitive Paul Simon since it is the most definitive collection of all his single and double C.D. collections. All previous collections either completely omit the songs, Duncan and American Tune (both radio hits) or else substitute them for live versions. In fact, this collection presents these two songs (and all others) in their original, album-length, studio versions. Also included here are the minor hits, Gone At Last (with Phoebe Snow) and Stranded In A Limosine, both largely ignored songs on other P.S. compilations. It is interesting that one of the P.S. "fan favorites." Take Me To The Mardi Gras, was released as a U.K. single, simultaneously with the U.S. single, Kodachrome. Both became top ten hits in their respective countries. It is nice to see all the single A-sides from the seventies included here.

One caveat is that Paul Simon songs from the early eighties are sparsely represented here. Only one of the three singles from One Trick Pony is represented (Late In The Evening, of course). And strangely, NO singles from the 1983 album, Hearts And Bones were included, despite the fact that Allergies was a moderate, radio hit. Hearts And Bones was originally intended to be a Simon and Garfunkel reunion album but that conception of the album never materialized. However, three key tracks from H & B are included: Train In A Distance (one of my favorite P.S. songs and is still played in malls across America), the title track (another favorite) and The Late Great Johnny Ace (a tribute to rock and roll legends with a coda performed by Philip Glass). There was ample room on disc one to have included another song, perhaps One Trick Pony, Think Too Much (b) or Rene and Georgette Magritte....

On the other hand, songs from the albums Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints are well represented in the collection. And of course, it was the Graceland album that drew attention to the African musical group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (their Shaka Zulu album is very fine, especially if you like Graceland).

Paul Simon's diverse, musical influences are very apparent in the song selections. These musical styles range from reggae (Mother And Child Reunion),to Gospel ( Loves Me Like A Rock), to Latin-American (Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and Late In The Evening), to zydeco (That Was Your Mother) to South African (Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes), ro rockabilly (Graceland). Even with all his diversity of musical styles, my preference leans toward his pop ballads, especially from the seventies and early eighties.

While the sound quality of this C.D. is not crisp in its detail, it does have a warm, clean and natural sound. This C.D. was released in celebration of Paul Simon's acceptance of the First-ever Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, from the Library of Congress. I highly recommend this collection!

Nearly flawless.......2007-06-26

The Essential Paul Simon contains nearly every Paul Simon track you could ever want, but it does omit the minor hits "Allergies" and "(What A) Wonderful World". This is truly a fitting collection to one of popular music's greatest songwriters.

Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al.......2007-06-26

WIth the past few years, we really haven't seen much in the way of great sales from older acts like Elton John, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne. Although they've made great albums, people would rather seem more interested in acts that are more about hype like Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Usher, and the sleezy socialite who really has no career, Paris Hilton. That hasn't left much in the way of great performers like Paul Simon. Spanning nearly 6 decades of great music, Paul's music is more meaningful, and still remains straight from the heart. Recently, he celebrated his 35th anniversary as a solo act, and won the honorable 1st ever Gershwin Prize for Song for his melodic style, we are often forgetful about his real talent of songwriting and craftsmanship, and this hits record shows that trail well.

The 2007 Essential Paul Simon, is a double album that expands very well from his previous single disc album On My Way, and brilliantly shows his era as one of the best songwriters of our times. The collection includes tracks from his first hits from the 1970's, all the way to his recent record, Surprise. The songs in the collection are remastered very well, and reflect on his career nicely. The album includes great classics including Me & Julio Down By The School Yard, his guilty pleasure gem You Can Call Me Al, the driven-styled Graceland, Slip Slidin' Away, as well as recent tunes like Outrageous, and his Oscar-nominated surprise hit Father And Daughter from the 2004 animated Nickelodeon film The Wild Thornberries Movie. The collection really does feel like a walk down memory lane, and reminds people of true songwriting that isn't about looks or selling yourself out in endorsements, it is about heart.

Although the album doesn't at all reflect on any memories as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, it is all about Paul and his solo efforts on this album, and it works very nicely. If you haven't heard any of his albums like Graceland, or Still Crazy After All These Years, you missed a really wonderful era of great music. The Essential Paul Simon is a must buy for nostalgia buffs, and new listeners alike to Paul Simon's genius. I absolutely recommend this greatest hits album as it is one of the best records released this year.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: B 1/2-

Remastering: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

Average customer rating:

Rock to the rhythm of the Refugees
ABOUT TIME! Bob Marley would be proud!
Living Like a Refugee CD is excellent for both music and content
Passionate Sounds
Must have!

Living Like a Refugee
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Manufacturer: Anti
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000HDRARQ
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks: