Nomad Soul - Baaba Maal

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...Ten years ago I was introduced to a French rap artist by the name of MC Solaar. The album in question was called Qui Seme le Vente Recolte le Tempo and I remember being pretty impressed by the slick, jazzy hip hop that was unlike anything I’d heard before. I’m not a great fan of this style of music, but I clearly recollect thinking… oh, this is good. Completely different to the grating, bassier NWA and Public Enemy I’d been exposed to previously, MC Solaar was much smoother, more melodic, altogether a more complete musical experience. Think of maybe a more mature Cypress Hill, minus the playground rhymes and annoying vocals. But that was then. To my shame I didn’t followed him up until recently. I was actually looking up some info about a Senegalese vocalist called Baaba Maal, who you may or may... Read review

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Advantages: Beautifully produced, great listening, some of the best songs you will ever hear
Disadvantages: not every track is a masterpiece

...A real gem. A beautiful album where each track seems to melt into the next masterpiece. This Asian fusion album, for me, was the best album of 2006 - in any genre of any language. Period. The production is artistic and soulful producing spectacular songs that will take your breath away. The serene introduction sets you up nicely for the best track of the album "Khwaab" which just oozes beauty and feeling - undoubtedly a timeless classic which will be revered for generations to come. The second next highlight of this album is "Bangles" - a sad song you feel you can really connect with - brings you down to earth quickly and when the song is over you feel completely serene. My personal other 2 favourites are the dramatic "Kanya," a type of song known as a "Khatak bol" which builds up slowly and steady to an energetic climax before... Read review

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...by the similarity of their nomadic lifestyles, when Rev came to record there was only one group of musicians he could possibly work with. The result of which is 'Industrial Sound and Magic'. The opening track, Down by the River O, almost sounds like a Levellers number with a new singer, simple beats and violin led, and the sentimentality and feeling of the Levellers classic single One Way. This however is the only song that they seem to dominate, from here on in it is Rev Hammer all the way, stripped back acoustic, folk ballads, working men's back street anthems, and a blend of romance, beauty, dirt and social comment. True Blue is a contrast to the opener, this is a raw blues number, a white John Lee Hooker spreading his own message, complete with blues guitar solo. The ballad of a failed boxer comes next in the form of Punch-drunk, the urban downbeat... Read review

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