Oremi

Amazon.com
Benin-born Afropop star Angelique Kidjo will rock you, but her music is ultimately a wave of higher consciousness. Oremi ("Friends"), her fifth album, makes the first stop of a projected trilogy in the U.S. and creates a coalition between the sounds and spirits of Africa and R&B. The set jumps off with a soul to soul gesture--Kidjo's powerhouse take on "Voodoo Child," Jimi Hendrix's prescient nod to his origins. Collaborations with Robbie Neville, Cassandra Wilson, Branford Marsalis, and Kelly Price range from stunning to intoxicating, as in Price and Kidjo's "Open Your Eyes" duet. Kidjo scores as strongly solo and never stoops to preach. "Babalao" is this African sage's moving plea for the world's youth, while "Yaki" is her impish cackle at pretension taking a well-deserved pratfall. --Elena Oumano

Vibe
Several tracks ... are too dated: they sound like Paula Abdul-style fluff. Though Kidjo's tracks could have been way more interesting ... Oremi still manages to charm its way into the winner's circle.

Tracks:

Introduction
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Never Know
Babalao
Loloye
Itche Koutche
Open Your Eyes
Yaki Yaki
Give It Up
Oremi
Orubaba
No Worry

Amazon.com

Benin-born Afropop star Angelique Kidjo will rock you, but her music is ultimately a wave of higher consciousness. Oremi ("Friends"), her fifth album, makes the first stop of a projected trilogy in the U.S. and creates a coalition between the sounds and spirits of Africa and R&B. The set jumps off with a soul to soul gesture--Kidjo's powerhouse take on "Voodoo Child," Jimi Hendrix's prescient nod to his origins. Collaborations with Robbie Neville, Cassandra Wilson, Branford Marsalis, and Kelly Price range from stunning to intoxicating, as in Price and Kidjo's "Open Your Eyes" duet. Kidjo scores as strongly solo and never stoops to preach. "Babalao" is this African sage's moving plea for the world's youth, while "Yaki" is her impish cackle at pretension taking a well-deserved pratfall. --Elena Oumano

Customer Reviews:

her best album .......2004-09-29

There are one or two weak tracks in this album (personally I think the forays into soul/R&B style English lyrics are not the greatest, but that's just me, musically they are still sound). But they are more than compensated for by the rest. It is an outstanding piece of work, I would say her best. I have Oyaya and Black Ivory Soul and while they are good, this earlier work is still the most authentic. It has power, sensitivity, intelligent arrangements, and some genuinely sublime passages. Her voice (best when she genuinely unleashes it) is very good, great depth and range, reminds me of the Filipina singer Grace Nono, one of the most charismatic voices/deliveries I have ever heard, whom I would highly recommend - but who I can't find on Amazon (!?).

ace album.......2001-12-09

this is a truely outstanding album produced to the very highest standard

A west African jewel.......1999-01-08

This album,the most recent of Angelique Kidjo's many releases, is a racier and upbeat return to the artiste's Euro-laced African pop. Apart from intriguing yet simple melodies, what will surprise many serious music lovers, who may otherwise dismiss this as a pop album, and therefore of no consequence, is the line-up of musical luminaries who play on this album. Among them, saxophonist Branford Marsallis, keyboardist Kenny Kirkland and bass phenomenon Bakhiti Khumalo. Add to these a whole slew of lesser known African talents. And, as always, Angelique Kidjo is a treat to listen to. She's bridged Euro-pop and African melodies in a pleasing and highly energetic mix that goes straight to the head and heart. A must listen for anyone with even a faint interest in World Music.

Great Stuff.......1998-12-04

I was in a 'Nature Company' store in my local mall (they usually play that crappy environment music) and Oremi was playing. I kept saying, 'Wow! This is great!" when each new track came on. I went up to the counter where there was a 'Now playing' sign to find 'Oremi' by Angelique Kidjo. I bought it immediately and have been playing it over and over in my car. It's one of those infectious albums that has plenty of hooks to get you to listen and plenty of depth to get you to keep listening. Great backup bands including African and American musicians (Kenny Kirkland, Branford Marsalis....). On her web site it says that this is sort of a concept album - the concept being exploring African influences of American popular music and vice-versa. Get it.

5 Stars Plus.......1998-11-12

They don't allow enough STARS for this one. An excellent CD. I have absolutely no idea what she is saying on most of the songs, but the rhythmic beat and chants are so soothing and appealing. My favorite, however is track number 7, "Open your eyes" which is great song with a strong message.

For all African Americans who want to be in touch with their culture, they should give this CD a try. Personally, I travel with this CD everywhere, with it set on repeat. I highly recommend this to all ages, all races.

Oremi + We Are One
Average customer rating:

Mediocre offering from a usually great artist

You have to see her in concert!

mind-bogglingly good!!

I LoVe ThIs CD

Oremi, Fifa, Aye, Logozo, Parakou

Oremi + We Are One
Angélique Kidjo
Manufacturer: Fontana Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Africa | International | Styles | Music
Benin | Africa | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Oyaya!

Black Ivory Soul

Aye

Logozo

Djin Djin

ASIN: B00000G0TN
Release Date: 1998-11-24

Tracks:

Introduction
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Never Know
Babalao
Loloye
Itche Koutche
Open Your Eyes
Yaki Yaki
Give It Up
Oremi
Orubaba
No Worry
We Are One

Amazon.com

Benin-born Afropop star Angelique Kidjo will rock you, but her music is ultimately a wave of higher consciousness. Oremi ("Friends"), her fifth album, makes the first stop of a projected trilogy in the U.S. and creates a coalition between the sounds and spirits of Africa and R&B. The set jumps off with a soul-to-soul gesture--Kidjo's powerhouse take on "Voodoo Child," Jimi Hendrix's prescient nod to his origins. Collaborations with Robbie Neville, Cassandra Wilson, Branford Marsalis, and Kelly Price range from stunning to intoxicating, as in Price and Kidjo's "Open Your Eyes" duet. Kidjo scores as strongly solo and never stoops to preach. "Babalao" is this African sage's moving plea for the world's youth, while "Yaki" is her impish cackle at pretension taking a well-deserved pratfall. The album also contains Kidjo's single from the Lion King II soundtrack, "We Are One." --Elena Oumano

Customer Reviews:

Mediocre offering from a usually great artist.......2006-03-19

I adore Kidjo, recorded and in concert. Her previous CD's are among my favorite music of all time - vibrant, unique, melding diverse cultural rhythms and themes while still keeping her essential West African flair. This album, however, seems a too-obvious ploy to capture a Western audience. There are numerous songs in English, which is not bad in itself, except the lyrics are painfully trite. Much of what was elegant jazzy and bluesy strains on her previous work has been replaced by a funk sound that seems to have come straight out of a bad 80's black sitcom; much of the distinct West Africa quality is lacking as well. Do get her earlier work - Fifa, Aye, Logozo, for they are truly brilliant. This, however, is Kidjo light, less filling and less satisfying. Interestingly, this is the only Kidjo album with a monochrome cover. Even her photo - contrite, in Western dress and with her radically shaved head covered, telegraphs surrender. Maybe she's trying to tell us something. I recently copied all my Kidjo CD's to iTunes; well, almost all. I left this one on the shelf.

You have to see her in concert!.......2002-01-14

I never heard of Angelique Kidjo until I was invited to go to her show in Louisville, KY. I was totally blown away by her voice, her music, and her dancing ability. Her music is a blend of all types and she serves it up so well. I'm impressed and I love her music

mind-bogglingly good!!.......2001-05-10

excellent album to widen your musical horizons without worrying about buying something you'll dislike when you take a close listen. not only has this album withstood that test, but i've been walking around with the music in my head for the past week!! heck, my boss *and* our secretary *both* borrowed the CD because they liked the sound, and will probably buy copies of their own!

I LoVe ThIs CD.......2001-03-16

I got turned on to Oremi and after hearing it, hunted until I found FIFA and AYE (thank you Amazon.com). The music and beats are infectious and it really doesn't bother me that I can't understand a thing she's saying. Because with a voice that beautiful, it's all about the music. The lyrics I do understand (like Open Your Eyes) are worthy of being sung again and again. Also, compared to the lyrics of a lot of the songs on the radio, I don't mind my 5 yr old daughter singing her way phonetically through this gem of an album. Kelly Price, Branford Marsallis and Cassandra Wilson were pleasant surprises on an already completely satisfying CD.

Oremi, Fifa, Aye, Logozo, Parakou.......2000-09-06

Angelique music is the best. A singer that has won my heart and desire to own all she has done. What a voice she has. I find Angelique music so restfull. You will never regret having any of her CD,s as she is the best.

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Rock Music

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