Mandali

Amazon.com
How many times have African rhythms traveled back and forth across the Atlantic? Beyond count, of course, but with the Africando All Stars, a band fronted by different African vocalists on each track, they're in very sure hands. It's where Africa meets America, under the direction of Boncana Maiga, who also wrote most of the music. The result is a near perfect Afro-Cuban album that sizzles from start to finish with exquisite arrangements, making the vocalists seem almost like the cherries on the cake. But with talent like Mali's Salif Keita, whose "Ntoman" might be the standout track, it's impossible to go wrong. Add when you add Lokua Kanza and mbalax star Thione Seck to the mix, you have something utterly explosive, with depth, joy, and musicianship that makes you want more. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Mandali
Miye Na We
Ntoman
Hwomevonon
Mopao
Pepita
Sey
Betece
Carpintero
Scandalo
Son Fo
Doni Doni

Amazon.com

How many times have African rhythms traveled back and forth across the Atlantic? Beyond count, of course, but with the Africando All Stars, a band fronted by different African vocalists on each track, they're in very sure hands. It's where Africa meets America, under the direction of Boncana Maiga, who also wrote most of the music. The result is a near perfect Afro-Cuban album that sizzles from start to finish with exquisite arrangements, making the vocalists seem almost like the cherries on the cake. But with talent like Mali's Salif Keita, whose "Ntoman" might be the standout track, it's impossible to go wrong. Add when you add Lokua Kanza and mbalax star Thione Seck to the mix, you have something utterly explosive, with depth, joy, and musicianship that makes you want more. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

salsa music at its african best!.......2007-06-15

Heard pepita and knew the other cuts had to be dynamic. OMG the CD is all that. The blend, the mix of languages and I don't know what they are saying but then again music can be appreciated regardless of knowledge of it. The music and the rhythms touch my soul. They make me want to dance all day long. The music speaks to me like no other. Its' a high energy CD. Buy this CD!!!!!!!! if you ar a salsa lover - especially. And folks say Samba is better? What??????????????

One of the best salsa albums I own........2006-11-23

Truly one of the best salsa albums I own, and I known a thing or two about salsa music, I've been collecting it and dancing to it for years. A great album for dancing or just listening, not very slow or very fast paced, always just the right tempo. I personally recommend "BETECE",
"SCANDALO" and "DONI DONI". Great salsa classics!

I used to think that salsa music wouldn't sound right in a language other than Spanish, I'm glad to say I was wrong... oh so wrong!

I would tell anyone who wants to enjoy truly brilliant salsa rhythms to buy this album, it's worth every penny.

Mandali by Africando.......2006-11-10

Mandali is one of the best CD's by Africando. My favorites on this CD are #1 Mandali, #5 Mopao, and #8 Betece. These are tracks that make your feet and body move without any effort.

one of the most beautiful and progressive salsa ensembles today............2006-07-25

I am honestly surprised that this album is so hard to find on the salsa shelves in mainstream CD stores. "Mandali" is one of the tightest, smoothest and most intricate salsa albums I have heard in a very long time. For those familiar with the sound of salsa, it is evident that the rhythms, instrumentation and call and response style to the coro is derived from traditional African music.

Africando is a smooth ensemble that showcases vocalists from countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Cuba. We hear the vocalists singing in their native languages of French, Wolof, (Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal) and Spanish (Cuba) and it sounds divine. Along with the instruments we have come to recognize as part of Cuban-style salsa (timbales, horns, etc.) each singer (be they African or Latino) truly makes the music their own. You might recognize popular songs like "Pepita" (track 6) on this album, as well as the title cut, "Mandali."

This music will lift your soul, the beautiful vocalists with their expressive interpretations will have you hooked and it will make the rainiest of days a little more bright and enjoyable. Highly reccomended.........

What can be said that hasn't? The liner notes are not good.......2005-04-18

Yeah, yeah, I am sweating the small details here. However, there is no way any one human can be expected to understand all of the languages spoken on this CD, certainly at least a song name translation to english would have been nice.
The fact I am upset about this should only tell you how much I want to know about the amazing music in this CD. The arrangements are absolutely incredible and having some instrumental variety, each well suited for the voice of the vocalist singing.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

Freestyle in Mix, Vol. 8 [Import]

Piano G & Ts 2

Rustic Stomp

1983 Collector's Edition, Vol. 4

Premiere

Music of Kyrgyzstan [Import]

Pendulum [Gold CD]

Pisces Iscariot

Music Cocktail V.1 [Import]

Per Nørgard: Works For Solo Piano

Ordinary Days

Los Jovenes de la Bachata 2002

Me Against the World [Explicit Lyrics]

Bo Skovhus Sings Opera Arias

Green Street