Togo

1. Togo

2. Spirit Eyes

3. Morning Sun

4. Walk Me to the Water

5. Night Shadows

6. Wild Horses

7. Kadence

8. Cry for a Vision

9. My Heart Soars

10. Life in a Day

11. Wootavah

Tracks:

Ndima Ndapedza - Oliver Mtukudzi
Thandaza - Soul Brothers
Segne - Afia Mala
Love Is Just A Dream - Johnny Clegg & Juluka
Doly - 4 Etioles
Sa Ntima - Samba Ngo
Wassiye - Habib Koite
Anoma - Oom
Gaeale - Diaou Kouyate
Francoise - Henri Dikongue
Ya Mbemba - Sam Mangwana
Manuela - Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca

Amazon.com

In many ways, African music has come full circle. The tragic diaspora of slavery provided the crucible for jazz, the blues, gospel, rock, funk, and rap, plus several Brazilian, Latin, and Caribbean styles. These former grooves-in-exile are now influencing modern African musicians, and the global village is bringing their inspirations back West in record time. Such rapid cross-pollination is bound to cause disputes about cause and effect, origins, and authenticity, but musicians will continue to experiment as they always have. This compilation is chock-full of provocative examples. The radiant serenity of the Soul Brothers' typically South African mbaqanga harmonies are closely related to gospel, while Habib Koite's Malian blues is redolent of Bamako and the Mississippi Delta. Afia Mala's Togolese pop has a hook that any bubblegum diva would kill for, and Diaou Kouyate's Guinean backbeat could make Grace Jones sit up and take notice. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

A great collection!.......2007-03-15

Awesome CD, I grew up listening to this music when my parents told me we were moving to Africa. They weren't kidding, and we eventually did, but this CD was certainly my absolute favorite first experience of African music.

From upbeat bongo to slower more peaceful rhythms of life, this album is about as close to the continent as you can get without actually traveling there. Putamayo puts a great, true-to-life-Africa collection together.

Also recommend the album "Bongo Flava" if you like real upbeat East African hip-hop/rap.

A GREAT compilation CD!.......2004-05-10

"Africa" was one of the first world music CD's I bought - I was involved in a show which included African and African-influenced music and I wanted to do some first hand audio research. This CD is just amazing! One of the things which immediately struck me was the beautiful and distinctive guitar work on many of the tracks, particularly those by Oliver Mtukudzi, Habib Koite, and Les 4 Etoiles. Other noteworthy instrumental work includes the B-3 organ intro on the Soul Brothers' "Thandaza", and the accordion featured in Sam Mangwana's "Ya Mbemba". There are also soul-stirring vocals featuring gorgeous harmonies (like Oom's "Anoma") and alternating call-and-response type melodies, and best of all, a wide variety of really cool grooves - each track has its own unique flavor. My favorites are Johnny Clegg and Juluka's "Love Is Just A Dream", Samba Ngo's "Sa Ntima" and Ricardo Lemvo's "Manuela", but really, there isn't one track here I don't love - five years after buying this CD it's still one of my favorites! I have since gone on to buy more CD's by several of the artists featured here, as well as by other African artists. I've also bought many of Putumayo's other compilations, which all serve as great introductions to a variety of artists as well as to many types of world music. By all means I recommend buying "Africa" - you won't regret it, but I warn you, you won't stop here :)

Enthralled.......2000-06-30

I'm not in the habit of writing these things...however I am so enthralled by this music I felt I had to share my thoughts. The CD is a good introduction to the immense variety of music coming out of Africa. My favorites are Ndima Npapedza (#1) by Oliver Mtukudzi and Wassiye (#7) by Habib Koite'. The music is fun and yet has depth to it. I listen to it and while I'm tapping my toes, my soul is singing right along. I recommend this one highly.

Very Entertaining !.......2000-01-13

I have a bar & grill in Bogota Colombia and I play this and other Putumayo CDs to provide an interesting atmosphere. #8 is my favorite, it makes you move and groove. Customers constantly ask about these CDs.

Average customer rating:

Traditional Songs & Dances from Africa
Adzido
Manufacturer: ARC
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Ghana | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Nigeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Tanzania | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Ivory Coast | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Zimbabwe | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Botswana | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Traditional Songs & Dances from Africa: Ojah
Tribal Dance from East Africa
African Tribal Music & Dances

ASIN: B00000617Y
Release Date: 1997-10-07

Tracks:

Ivory Coast: Tematei/Zaouli
Mozambique: Sembe
Botswana: Setapa
Zambia: Ndendeule
Ghana: Bawa
Togo: Atsia
Tanzania: Ngoni
Uganda: Bakisimba/Nankasa
Zimbabwe: Tongoyo
Malawi: Gule Wamkulu Mask Dance
Nigeria: Sekiapu
Kenya: Isikuti

Sounds of the World: Illustrations Sonores

Average customer rating:

Sounds of the World: Illustrations Sonores
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Playasound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Colombia | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Peru | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Mexico | International | Styles | Music

Senegal & Gambia | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Environmental | New Age | Styles | Music

Nature | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000589AC
Release Date: 2001-02-06

Tracks:

Aeroplane Coming in to Land in the Forest
Bus Trip Along a Forest Track
Train from Lima to Huancayo
Travelling Down River by Boat
Motor Boat on the Rio San Juan
Motor Boat Going by in the Forest
Birds in the Choco Forest
Curuchupa Bird
Daybreak in Peten Forest
Cueva de las Lechuzas
Batrachians in the Amazonian Forest
Amazonian Toads
Duet Between a Toad and a Bird
Concert in the Choco Forest
Batrachians in the Choco Forest
Tree-Feeling in the Amazonian Forest
Tropical Rain
Caribbean Sea
Prayer to Yemenja
Commentator on Radio Caracol
Maracana Stadium in Rio
Parque de los Dolores
Shopping Street in Medelin
Floating Gardens of Xochimilko
Mariachis of Guadalajara
Procession of the Cross in Barbacoas
Corpus Christi in Chichicastenango
Carnival in the Andes
Festivities at Catagena
Festivities in Salvador de Bahia
Carnival in Havana

Tracks:

Djemaa el Fna Market-Place
Medina of Tunis
Blacksmiths of Mora
Cattle Market in Mora
Market in Baleyara
Pounding Millet
Rhythm of Pounding Millet
Salt-Sellers
On the Bafoussam Road
Bouba-Njida National Park
In the Heart of Casamance
Serengeti National Park
Flamingos Taking Flight
Equatorial Rain on the Roofs
Equatorial Rain on the Ground
Storm and Rain
Waterfalls
Dugout
Port of Dakar
Selling Fish at Soumbedioune
Bush Fire
Call to Prayer
On Foot on the African Trail
Salvo of the Chaambas
Senegalese Wrestling
Feast of the Sultan of Fouman

Tracks:

Waiting Room at Canton Airport
Indian Railway Station
Chinese Railway Station
Toy Tren Leaving Darjeeling
Toy Tren in the Batasia Loop
Bus on an Indian Road
Rickshaws of Benares
Chinese Bicycles
Beside Lake Inle
Concert of Birdsong in Singapore
Sea at Trincomalee
Streams in the Himalayas
Well in the Thar Desert
Patan Basin
Collective Washing
Thai Boxing
Market at Taungyi (Burma)
On the Pokhara Road
Holy Bells
Prayer-Wheels
Tibetan Verbal Sparring Match
Wedding in Rajasthan
Cremation
Birthday of the King of Nepal
Festival of Diwali
Offering to the Goddess Kali
Festival of Pushkar

Average customer rating:

Togo Brava Suite
Duke Ellington
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002TSC
Release Date: 1994-11-15

Tracks:

C Jam Blues
Togo Brava Suite: Part I - Soul Soothing Beach/Part II - Naturellement
Togo Brava Suite: Part III - Amour, Amour/Part IV - Right On Togo
Happy Reunion
Addi
Lotus Blossom
Cotton Tail
Checkered Hat
La Plus Belle Africaine
In A Mellotone
I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Melancholia
Soul Flute

Average customer rating:

Developing chic flamboyance and eclectic style
Amazing sound tracks!
Mean Highlife Funk Music from Ghana and Togo

Nyade
Elikeh
Manufacturer: Serge M. Dogo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000IFSLB2
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

Nyade
Madjo (feat. Yeli Fuzo, of Mali)
Ape Game
Kpanlogo
Edjo
Esso (Kamu)
Don't You (Aiye)
Va Ma Kpo
Gbledo
Madjo Redux

Product Description

Led by singer/songwriter Serge "Massama" Dogo, ELIKEH performs original roots Afropop drawn from Massama's roots in Togo, West Africa. ELIKEH (pronounced "ey-LEE-kay") signifies something that is rooted, whether in the soil or in tradition. Massama and the ELIKEH crew have taken this approach in crafting their unique fusion of traditional rhythms with choice elements from afropop, afrobeat, soukous, reggae, jazz and rock. With drum-kit, electric bass, 2 guitars, African percussion, and horns, the result is an organic blend of phat grooves and sweet, sweet melody. ELIKEH's songs speak of justice, love and migration. They are sung primarily in Ewe and Kabye, with arrangements based on Agbadga, Kamu and Agbekor rhythms from the West African region encompassing Togo, Ghana & Benin.

Customer Reviews:

Developing chic flamboyance and eclectic style.......2007-08-05

Playing Time - 41:22 -- Besides a few English lyrics, Serge "Massama" Dogo mainly sings in Ewe, Kabye, and French. Some liner notes would have been nice to explain the messages being imparted in each original piece. While I'm told that the songs are about justice, love and migration, there is also a pervading feeling of happiness, optimism and enthusiasm in this lively music. This 2006 album from the Silver Spring, Md. band includes Serge Dogo (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Shereikis (guitar, vocals), Dave McDavitt (drums, percussion), and Trevor Specht (sax, flute). Five different bassists are featured on the album (Jon Aversa, Clement Aho, Didier Kangbeni, Tony Allelujah, Ary Zogdoule). Yeli Fuzzo raps on the second track, "Madjo." Specht's sax and flute are rather understated on the CD, and more of them on future projects would enhance the overall mix. In a more raucous vein, "Esso (Kamu)" has a meandering melody line that just doesn't seem to take advantage of the flute's capabilities. While his vocals seem rather inconspicuous, Michael Shereikis' proficient guitar work is prevalent. He studied African style guitar while living in Central Africa and Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) in the 1990s. Another key member contributing to Elikeh's total sound is David McDavitt, a percussionist who clearly has both the passion and aptitude for world music.

The many influences heard in Elikeh's original music include roots, Afrobeat, soukous, reggae, funk, jazz and rock. At the center of attention on "Nyade" are Massama's vocals and the rhythmic intensity of percussion and bass. Born and raised in Togo, Massama started songwriting and playing reggae and rock while in high school. At the Universite du Benin in Lome, he directed the University Orchestra from 1997-1999. Relocating to the U.S. in 2000, Massama began performing with such groups as the Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band and Togolese rocker Jimi Hope.

Original arrangements incorporate various West Africa rhythms. I appreciate the way they incorporate ethnic music idioms into a type of contemporary roots music blend with an American appeal for lively, danceable grooves. The band's name refers to roots, and the fusion of traditional Ewe music sensibilities with electric Afropop sounds makes for a captivating mixture. The most traditional offering is the percussion-laden "Kpanlogo," while more modern flavors of rap and reggae appear in "Madjo" and "Don't You (Aiye)" in which Massama sings "Don't you want to see me get high / Don't you want to see me feel high and touch the sky." Elikeh's music also includes social commentary and philosophical overtones, and, with a tad more attention to production, it has potential for widespread mainstream appeal. Massama is well on his way to developing his own chic flamboyance and eclectic style. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

Amazing sound tracks!.......2006-10-09

I was amazed by the quality of the sound that this album provide to the listener. I have to confess that I am familiar with the type of music but I was not expecting such refinement in the sound of the instruments played. I am not an expert in music but I can tell when something is good or bad. And this is definetely good thing. I enjoy every track on the album and I listen to it all the time. However my favorite is "Va Ma Kpo". It is an elogium of love and it is so inspiring. I also got chance to see the group perform on stages. Those people are great! They are so versatiles in playing musical instruments and they keep on from the begining to the end and you don't feel like living. You can easily relate to the origin of their music which is rooted in west coast African traditional rythm.

Mean Highlife Funk Music from Ghana and Togo.......2006-09-28

Elikeh has a very fresh & different sound. They honor the tradition, while creating new music. Elikeh's sound is half traditional Ewe music (drums, rhythms, and melodies) and half modern Afropop. They have old Ghanaian drums with a full electric band. Dogo's songs are interesting and catchy. He sings in Ewe, Kabye, & French. The whole CD is recorded with live players (no sequencer keyboards) and sounds natural. My favorite tracks are Madjo (a Mali-style song with guest Malian rap-star Yeli Fuzzo, talking drum, and a fierce guitar solo), Edjo (Ewe funk-Agbekor), Ape Game (a ballad), and Nyade (a fast & tricky Kabye groove with a mean bass line). Elikeh's sound is a little like a mix of King Mensah, Ghana Soundz, Femi Kuti, and Osibisa. Jah bless!

Average customer rating:

Mostly For Die-hard Ellington Fans
Danish Record Label Releases More from Ellington's Stockpile

Togo Brava Suite
Duke Ellington
Manufacturer: Storyville Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Swing Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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New Orleans Suite
Afro-Bossa
Anatomy of a Murder: From the Soundtrack of the Motion Picture (1959 Film)
Such Sweet Thunder
The Ellington Suites

ASIN: B00005B4GI
Release Date: 2001-05-01

Tracks:

Mkis (Soul Soothing Beach)
Tego
Togo Or Yoyo (Naturellement)
Too Kee (Amour, Amour)
Buss (Right On Togo)
Soso
Toto (Afrique)
Peke
Checkered Hat
There's A Place
Blues
Hick
Grap (The Giggling Rapids)
Something
Making That Scene
Lover Man
Perdido

Amazon.com

Ellington left behind an extensive archive of music recorded at his own initiative. Togo Brava Suite comes from several such sessions, recorded in 1971. It's a portrait of Duke near the end of his career, after the deaths of key collaborators Billy Strayhorn and Johnny Hodges (although band vets Cootie Williams, Paul Gonsalves, and Harry Carney remain). Its centerpiece is the first-issued seven-movement version of "Togo Brava Suite," recorded months before the truncated Blue Note version. Like Duke's other travel suites--this is a minor one--it's affectionate exotica that never patronizes, evoking West Africa without mimicking its music. Ellington's old virtues are intact, but on this 72-minute program, he also mirrors a changing world, romping two blues with soul organist Wild Bill Davis, and serving up the genial gospel-rock "There's a Place." One modern touch is sometimes distracting: Joe Benjamin's too-amplified bass. Ellingtonians will find much of interest, but newcomers should look elsewhere. --Kevin Whitehead

Customer Reviews:

Mostly For Die-hard Ellington Fans.......2007-02-08

If you're new to Ellington's music, you'll almost certainly want to start elsewhere. Ellington was America's most prolific composer, and his recordings span half of the 20th-century, so there's much better material to choose from. (Ellington At Newport 1956, The Blanton-Webster Years, and The OKeh Ellington, for example.) The recordings presented here are from late in Ellington's career, when some of the most brilliant members of his orchestra were gone; worse, they're essentially rehearsals rather than full-blown recording sessions or public performances.

Having said that, this motley collection of tracks has something to please most Ellington fans, and will be of interest to those who've already heard the bulk of his work. For starters, we have here the full seven parts of Ellington's Togo Brava Suite--not a major work, perhaps, but not without its modest charms (e.g. the flute in "Toto"). Second, there's the presence of Wild Bill Davis on several of the other tracks. There's even one or two tracks that swing along at a nice tempo for dancing. All-in-all, not Ellington at his best; but proof that Ellington's worst is still pretty good.

Danish Record Label Releases More from Ellington's Stockpile.......2001-06-05

I am reviewing "Togo Brava Suite" on Storyville Records (Denmark)

You should not confuse this "Togo Brava Suite" with the 1995 Blue Note CD called "Togo Brava Suite." The Blue Note CD is really a retitled reissue of a live album culled from two concerts in England in 1971. The CD is no longer carried by Blue Note, though it is available on BGO out of the UK as "The English Concert." This Storyville release contains studio recordings from 1971 including a seven part Togo Brava Suite.

So many things about Ellington are counter intuative. In later years he seemed to record more when he did not have a recording contract than when he did. Go figure. Ellington continued to record because he kept writing new material. And in concert he would feature his new compositions along with his old hits. When asked what his favorite composition was he would say "the next one." He probably would have said the same thing about his next recording session or his next concert.

And now here are these never released studio recordings and I marvel. Highlights on this disk include the seven part "Togo Brava Suite, and Norris Turney's "Checkered Hat." "There's a Place" seems to be a piece of Sacred Music that was left out of the Third Sacred Concert, "Blues" features interplay between Ellington and organist Wild Bill Davis. "Grap" is another version of a section of "The River" called "Giggling Rapids." We even get a cover. "Lover Man" was a feature for the singer Ellington had at the time Nell Brookshire.

If your one of those that thinks that anything Ellington wrote after 1941 is not worth listening to (and you know who you are) this CD is not for you. For the rest of us this CD whets our appitite for more.

Storyville Brava--Brava Storyville!

Take Out the Fences
Average customer rating:
Take Out the Fences

Manufacturer: Caveman Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAJIUQ
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Togo Toto 20 Years Of Raw
Average customer rating:
Togo Toto 20 Years Of Raw
Chris Galfas
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000TK7T9G

Product Description

1 Togo Toto (Crazy Toto) 2 Green Dolphin Street 3 Bananas 4 Late Last Night 5 El Chico (Hamilton) 6 Yes and No 7 Bop Man 8 Leah 9 Hold Me Back 10 Spanish Clip 11 Toe Tone 12 Fat Cat 13 Sea Dance 14 Cuban Wave 15 Byrd Land 16 My Romance 17 Laura 18 Black Orpheus 19 Dolphin Dance 20 The Mist