Afrika Wassa

Amazon.com
Vieux Diop, who began his musical career many years ago in the same Senegalese band as Youssou N'Dour, has lived in the U.S. since the early '80s, and the tone of his third album, Afrika Wassa, reflects the cultural melting pot that's now his home. Its heartbeat is ineffably African, as on the glorious vocal harmonies of "Manko," but, like America, it pulls from everywhere, drawing in not only Diop's kora, which is beautifully displayed on "Mom's Jam," but also the Celtic fiddle of Eileen Ivers. Some projects that are so all-inclusive can get lost, but there's a tight focus to Diop's vision, whether it's the halam that forms the basis of "Pourquoi" or the bouncy light groove of "Sin Lo-Lo." The writing, too, is always fresh and incisive, with the arrangements framing the engaging melodies rather than overwhelming them; all instrumental egos are subsumed in the song. This record might have been five years coming, but it's worth the wait. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

New Africa
The Path
Sweat
Why
Mom's Jam
The Harvest
Sing Lo-Lo
Money
Unity
Surely
Senegalese Wild Life Preserve

Amazon.com

Vieux Diop, who began his musical career many years ago in the same Senegalese band as Youssou N'Dour, has lived in the U.S. since the early '80s, and the tone of his third album, Afrika Wassa, reflects the cultural melting pot that's now his home. Its heartbeat is ineffably African, as on the glorious vocal harmonies of "Manko," but, like America, it pulls from everywhere, drawing in not only Diop's kora, which is beautifully displayed on "Mom's Jam," but also the Celtic fiddle of Eileen Ivers. Some projects that are so all-inclusive can get lost, but there's a tight focus to Diop's vision, whether it's the halam that forms the basis of "Pourquoi" or the bouncy light groove of "Sin Lo-Lo." The writing, too, is always fresh and incisive, with the arrangements framing the engaging melodies rather than overwhelming them; all instrumental egos are subsumed in the song. This record might have been five years coming, but it's worth the wait. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Afrika Wassa.......2006-01-30

Afrika Wassa
Vieux Diop
Triloka Records TR8069-2

His name is pronounced "Via Jo." Internationally, this Senegalese singer is a respectable competitor to James Brown for the title of "Soul Brother #1." If most Americans are going to have problems understanding the words when the tri-lingual Diop decides to use French or Senegalese, it's not going to be much more trouble than translating James Brown's English. If you're dotty about the words, they're in English in the liner notes.

This is the kind of modern African music that one might today dub "Paul Simon Lite." In addition to the basic rock instruments, there's a lot of percussion, strong, high backing vocals, a little thumb piano and a strong separation between lead and rhythm sections within the band. Vocal work is impassioned, and it is clear that Mr. Diop cares a great deal about each of the eleven topics he addresses in song on Afrika Wassa, which range from Mouille (Sweat) to Lepto Feyto (The Harvest) to Ti Gui(Surely).

It's interesting that "Afrika Wassa" translates into "new Africa." Music has a way of reminding us of all of the foundations of the American culture we live in. "Wassa" has to be "whassup" as clearly as the stringed instrument made by attaching a neck to a large, covered tortoise shell known as a "banjer" in the Wolof language is our "banjo," as clearly as the Wolof "hepi kat," meaning "one who has had his eyes opened," became the "hip cat" of prohibition era jazz. It's not all that foreign. Buying records like Afrika Wassa is just going through a different door to get to the same place. Try it.

Awesome.......2000-12-21

The best African CD I have ever heard. The Songs, the singing, the musicians, and the recording are all as good as it gets. You don't have to love African music to love this cd.

africa wassa.......2000-09-09

It is different.Very intresting to listen to.

A splendid addition to multicultural music collections........2000-09-04

Afrika Wassa features eleven songs presenting a joyous sonic experiences reflecting Vieux Diop's grace, charm, evocative vocals, and infectious rhythms. lyrics are sung in French, Senegalese and English with the words an integral part of the overall texture of the instrumental sounds. This superbly crafted and recorded introduction to West African music provides a welcome and thoroughly entertaining listening experience. Afrika Wassa is a splendid addition to personal and community library multicultural music CD collections.

The Man with the Golden Voice.......2000-08-31

Vieux Diop has always been a favorite of mine, and this CD is no exception. Monsieur Diop has a fantastic voice which is used to perfection on several of the tunes on this CD. The musical styles range from rhythmic to quiet a capaella. The CD will be played on World music shows, for sure, but it has also been used on Hearts of Space, renowned for its low-key productions. Unfortunately, the sole cut you can listen to currently at Amazon.com doesn't really do justice to the range and beauty of the tunes on this CD. Try it, you'll like it...Hey Mikey!