Black Ivory Soul
 | Sony, 2002, Audio CD Customer Rating: 33 reviews Recommend |
|---|
Angélique Kidjo's previous albums have been decidedly patchy affairs, with tracks ranging from the sublime to the abysmal. With Black Ivory Soul, however, Kidjo strikes a lovely and generally consistent note. Exploring the connections between her native Benin and Brazil's Bahia region, she makes beautiful music flavored by two continents on songs such as "Tumba," with its crisp but subtle percussion driving a lilting melody, or "Afrika," where the cascading notes of the kora help bridge the Atlantic. Co-writing with talents like Carlinhos Brown and Vinícius Cantuária has helped; they've toned down the R&B influence than ran through Oremi and replaced it with something more individual. Kidjo sounds strongest when she's very rootsy, as on her cover of Gilberto Gil's "Refavela," which stands in stark contrast to the bland "Iwoya," a duet with Dave Matthews that sounds like nothing more than a calculated shot at radio airplay. Even the odd track out, a version of "Ces Petits Riens" by Serge Gainsbourg, works because of its spare delight. In following her muse and her history, Kidjo has produced her best work to date. — Chris Nickson
- Bahia
- Iwoya (w/ Dave Matthews)
- Olofoofo
- Tumba
- Black Ivory Soul
- Refavela
- Iemanja
- Afirika
- Okanbale
- Ominira
- Mondjuba
- Ces Petits Riens
Title: Black Ivory Soul
Sales Rank: 50006 in Music
Artist: Angelique Kidjo
Label: Sony, 2002-03-19, Audio CD, 1 Disc
Package Dimensions: 5.55 x 4.97 x 0.54 inches, 0.18 pounds
- Kidjo world fusion
- Is an interesting album, reflecting cultural emotions that extends through continents but penetrates your soul. More reviews
- Wonderful new find
- I heard her music over a crowd at a museum opening event and found the DJ to get the name of the musician. I just bought this CD as a first sample and I love it! I'm coming back for more Kidjo. If you love Latin and world music and want something for a great party atmosphere that is not over bearing, this is delightful! … More reviews
- Great Singer
- This is a great and beautiful singer, her style is cool and uptempo, easy to listen to all day. I have all her CD's, I give this CD and "Logozo" a 4 score only because my favorite is "Oyaya!" … More reviews
- Have Passport, WILL travel
- From Bahia to Refavela to Ces Petits Riens...the range of Angelique is astounding. The obvious next step is...to see her live in concert! More reviews
- PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC, BLACK GIRL!
BLACK IVORY SOUL by Angelique Kidjo was a 2004 birthday gift to me from one of my few true friends, Melanie. [Thanks, MelNel!] She was turned onto it by the receptionist at her dentist's office. Melanie immediately determined to get me a copy too, knowing that I'm the hippest, most soulful White dude this side of RESTAURANT 28 - an excellent soul food joint in Glendale,… More reviews
