This collection of songs contain beautiful vocal harmonies and melodies accompanied by authentic African instruments and traditional tribal chants. Instruments used in this recording are:
Djembe Drums - a goblet shaped drum with goat skin head from West Africa
Adondo - talking drum found all over Africa.
Kalimba - a "thumb piano" also know as "Mbira" or "Sanza". There are
several variations but basically consists of metal or wooded
tangs mounted on a gourd and plucked with the fingers. The
sound is unmistakably African.
Nose Flute - a flute played with the left nostril (Lord know what happens
if the player gets a cold)
Udu Pot - or water pot. A ceramic hand drum.
Cow Horn - not really musical but used for accents.
Do Dom Po - a percussion bell.
Kweller - a kind of guitar
Log Drum - or "Slit" drum. A hollowed out log with slits cut into the
outside creating pitched tongues. - nice sound.
Mvet harp - a 5 stringed harp with a calabash gourd resonator
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 3 reviews)
"Possibly the best collection of authentic African music!", January 31, 2002
Reviewer:Peg Hewitt (Park Rapids, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews
I just purchased this CD, and I have probably listened to it 10 times. I have, in the past, tried numerous 'African' tapes, CDs,etc. and have always been thoroughly disappointed. Having no prior knowledge of this one, I was prepared for a similar result. Boy, was I wrong! The vocals/chants are clear, haunting and brilliant. Each song has a listing of which percussion/instruments were employed, as well as a brief description of what it is. For example, it lists a Djun Djun and describes what it is, and how it's played. The rhythms throughout are without equal, and the variety of sounds created with these instruments makes for extraordinaryily interesting and exhilerating sounds. I just wish there was a little lengthier explanation since the music is so interesting, it begs for a more thorough description. I also wish this was about a 5 CD set - - I could listen to this for hours. It simply cannot be adequately described, it really must be heard! If you're into world/African music, this one is a must.
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