Djam Leelii

Amazon.com's Best of 1998
Recorded in 1982 and originally released in 1984, Djam Leelii reappears in 1998 with all its graceful glory intact--and a little added on. Adorned with three previously unheard remastered tracks from the original sessions, this atmospheric masterpiece is carried along by the complementary voices and guitars of Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, two of West Africa's leading lights. A sense of mystery permeates this classic of acoustic world music. --Steven Stolder

Amazon.com essential recording
After its release to wide acclaim in 1984, first on Rogue Records in the United Kingdom, and then worldwide by Mango the following year, the record slipped into oblivion. Now Djam Leelii is available again, this time with some newly mastered tracks from the original 1982 sessions. It is the soul of West Africa, a model of brilliant guitar music and as sublime an example of Senegalese musical art as ever was made. Mansour Seck and Baaba Maal have been partners in music for a long time, always experimenting, always surprising, whether it's bold pop or subtle acoustics. This is one of the latter. Primarily two guitars and two voices, Djam Leelii insinuates rather than insists. There is a slight backing of electric guitars, a hint of balafon and a variety of small percussion, just enough to prod the music along, never rushing it. Even the excess of reverb seems to be in service of the surreal atmosphere they create here. For those who love West African acoustic music, and for those who love excellent musicianship in any form, this recording is a classic. Even if you already have an earlier release of the record, these three long tracks still make a second purchase worthwhile. Mixed in a drier ambiance, they feature grittier guitar sounds, a more urgent vocal combination, and some wonderful kora and balafon work by Mamad Kouyate and Jombo Kouyate. The closing track, "Taara," is one of the most gorgeous tracks of modern acoustic Hapulaar (Fulani) music available on disc. Djam Leelii has stood the test of time, and it sustains the listener year after year. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Lam Tooro
Loodo
Muudo Hormo
Salminanam
Maacina Tooro
Djam Leelii
Bibbe Leydy
Sehilam
Kettojee
Ko Wone Mayo
Daane Lenol
Taara

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

Recorded in 1982 and originally released in 1984, Djam Leelii reappears in 1998 with all its graceful glory intact--and a little added on. Adorned with three previously unheard remastered tracks from the original sessions, this atmospheric masterpiece is carried along by the complementary voices and guitars of Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, two of West Africa's leading lights. A sense of mystery permeates this classic of acoustic world music. --Steven Stolder

Amazon.com essential recording

After its release to wide acclaim in 1984, first on Rogue Records in the United Kingdom, and then worldwide by Mango the following year, the record slipped into oblivion. Now Djam Leelii is available again, this time with some newly mastered tracks from the original 1982 sessions. It is the soul of West Africa, a model of brilliant guitar music and as sublime an example of Senegalese musical art as ever was made. Mansour Seck and Baaba Maal have been partners in music for a long time, always experimenting, always surprising, whether it's bold pop or subtle acoustics. This is one of the latter. Primarily two guitars and two voices, Djam Leelii insinuates rather than insists. There is a slight backing of electric guitars, a hint of balafon and a variety of small percussion, just enough to prod the music along, never rushing it. Even the excess of reverb seems to be in service of the surreal atmosphere they create here. For those who love West African acoustic music, and for those who love excellent musicianship in any form, this recording is a classic. Even if you already have an earlier release of the record, these three long tracks still make a second purchase worthwhile. Mixed in a drier ambiance, they feature grittier guitar sounds, a more urgent vocal combination, and some wonderful kora and balafon work by Mamad Kouyate and Jombo Kouyate. The closing track, "Taara," is one of the most gorgeous tracks of modern acoustic Hapulaar (Fulani) music available on disc. Djam Leelii has stood the test of time, and it sustains the listener year after year. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Masterpiece.......2007-03-15

Certainly the best offering of Baaba's career thus far. The production and the acoustics creates the CD's charm and atmosphere. I cant even tell the CD is more than 20 years old, this truly is a timeless classic.

Buy & Listen...over and over!.......2007-02-04

Baba Maal & Masour Seck have created a Masterpiece that is a must for any collection; no matter what your style of music may be, this will touch you.

Deserves 6 Stars - out of this world - beautifuly haunting.......2006-05-25

This CD has so many haunting melodies. It can take you to another place, a place you want to be. It is soothing and stimulates a warm happy feeling at the same time. It almost sounds like something from another time, a simpler time. Beautiful music, frustrating to try to put to words, but really fine music.

joyful and great voices.......2005-10-14

This paricular African album is very easy to get into and enjoy. You don't have to think about it. The voices and music are great. Fun and gorgeous.

One of the all-time great albums!.......2005-01-30

Baaba Maal's voice is a unique treasure ... I have never heard anything like it... there is a metallic sheen about it that is so haunting, you can never forget it.

This is Baaba Maal's BEST album, by far, and I have heard almost every album by him. It is hard to remember an album in which I have liked every song. Maal sticks to his Fulani roots in this album, something he doesn't do in his other (and later) albums, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Most people know Maal from his collaboration with the Screaming Orphans (Sinead O'Connor's backup band), with the result being the famous song, "Souka Naayo" ("I will follow you") and, while that song is very pretty, these songs touch something deep within you. My favorite song is "Salminaanam," but there are about five or six songs that are exceptional..."Muudo Hormo" and "Lam Tooro" come to mind immmediately.

Average customer rating:

Dreaming of Africa

Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck
Manufacturer: Mango
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Senegal & Gambia | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Lam Toro
Missing You (Mi Yeewnii)
The Indestructible Beat of Soweto

ASIN: B000003QJO
Release Date: 1989-07-19

Tracks:

Lamtooro
Loodo
Muudo Hormo
Salminanam
Maacina Tooro
Djam Leelii
Bibbe Leydy
Sehilam
Kettodee

Amazon.com

This album has been issued, lost, remixed, and released again and again in its short life, always to continued acclaim. It is the soul of West Africa--a model of brilliant guitar music and as sublime an example of new Senegalese art as ever was made. Mansour Seck and Baaba Maal have been partners in music for a decade or more--always experimenting, always surprising, whether it's bold pop or subtle acoustics. This recording is one of the latter. Primarily two guitars and two voices, Djam Leeli insinuates rather than insists. There is a slight backing of electric guitars, a hint of balafon, and a variety of small percussion--just enough to prod the music along, never rushing it. Even the excess of reverb seems to be in service of the surreal atmosphere that is created here. For those who love West African acoustic music, and for those who love excellent musicianship in any form, this recording is one of the desert island classics. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Dreaming of Africa.......2002-01-14

I have never been to the home countries of these two artists but over the years I have listened to this album many times and always felt as nostalgic about Africa as these two men obviously do. This
is a haunting, dreamy album that flows from song to song. It evokes a time and a place so different from the living room that I usually hear it in. This is an album for anyone who wants a taste of a different world without the rigors of travel. A true dream song. Listen to it for yourself. Fabulous.

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