Xel

1. Xel

2. Ragajuma

3. Kaki

4. Yoon wil

5. Sama demna

6. Sama guitare

7. Xale bi

8. Casa di mansa

9. Assaman

10. Mengo

11. Yu sew yii

12. N'guelaw

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
El Hadj N'Diaye embarks on a nervy strategy for his internationally released second album. Senegal's searing signature mbalax rhythm takes a backseat to meditative tempos and a guitar-rock ambience seldom associated with African releases. Even more riskily, the focus is fixed on N'Diaye's voice and thus the Wolof-language poetry whose meaning is closed to the majority of listeners. But Xel is a solid triumph. Even without the liner-note translations, N'Diaye has the ability to transfix. While his passion and range put him in the same class as countrymen superstars Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal, his emotional outreach is unequaled. Love song "Kaki" wears its yearning large, complementing N'Diaye's sometimes pleading, sometimes cooing vocals with lovely amplified guitar figures. "Xale bi" kicks off with an understated fuzz-box sound right out of the Cream songbook before gliding into a touching lyric about Dakar's forgotten street children that surprises with an English-language chorus. The ruinous struggle for independence of Senegal's Cassamance region elicits anguished vocals, ominous traditional drumbeats, and the delicate optimism of a balafon solo on "Casa di mansa." The gut-wrenching singing launches Xel well beyond a diversion of a disc. N'Diaye demands attention, and his socially conscious, beautifully crafted songs deserve close listening. --Bob Tarte

Tracks:

Xel
Ragajuma
Kaki
Yoon wil
Sama demna
Sama guitare
Xale bi
Casa di mansa
Assaman
Mengo
Yu sew yii
N'guelaw

Amazon.com

El Hadj N'Diaye embarks on a nervy strategy for his internationally released second album. Senegal's searing signature mbalax rhythm takes a backseat to meditative tempos and a guitar-rock ambience seldom associated with African releases. Even more riskily, the focus is fixed on N'Diaye's voice and thus the Wolof-language poetry whose meaning is closed to the majority of listeners. But Xel is a solid triumph. Even without the liner-note translations, N'Diaye has the ability to transfix. While his passion and range put him in the same class as countrymen superstars Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal, his emotional outreach is unequaled. Love song "Kaki" wears its yearning large, complementing N'Diaye's sometimes pleading, sometimes cooing vocals with lovely amplified guitar figures. "Xale bi" kicks off with an understated fuzz-box sound right out of the Cream songbook before gliding into a touching lyric about Dakar's forgotten street children that surprises with an English-language chorus. The ruinous struggle for independence of Senegal's Cassamance region elicits anguished vocals, ominous traditional drumbeats, and the delicate optimism of a balafon solo on "Casa di mansa." The gut-wrenching singing launches Xel well beyond a diversion of a disc. N'Diaye demands attention, and his socially conscious, beautifully crafted songs deserve close listening. --Bob Tarte

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Senegalese Singer-Songwriter.......2002-05-21

This is a superb recording from El Hadj N'Diaye. I recommend it, as well as his other recording "Thiaroye", highly. The music is jazzy, but varies in tempo, has wonderful drumming, and impassioned vocals. El Hadj sings in Wolof, French, and a little English. The Wolof words are beautiful to listen to--nevermind not speaking the language! And, unlike other Wolof-speaking singers, he provides translations. Although you can hear hints of mbalax in the rhythms of the music, on the whole El Hadj reminds me more of intensely poetic singers like Leonard Cohen or Van Morrison. He sings about the issues and experiences of ordinary people of West Africa--very moving and beautiful music. I was privileged to see El Hadj at WOMAD 2001 -- buy this music and support a great performer!

Simply Stunning.......2001-10-16

it is an incredible album, the lyrics and the music take one to another place, it is deep and lasting

Rock Music: