Youssou N'Dour And His Friends - Youssou N'Dour

Advantages: Very moving, personal, vivid, intense
Disadvantages: can invoke all sorts of emotions - good or otherwise

...Although quite old now, Seven Seconds is still a very powerful soul record, sung by the relatively unknown N'dour and of course Ms Cherry herself. But for me its N'dour that carries the music with the kind of aethetic desire & mystic Turkish charm which melds into the pace & delivery of the rhythm. Cherry adds a little feminine charm but done with a certain mature manache that envelopes N'dour's delivery: it's as if the two are lovers serenading each other's devotion & hopes. Like most ballads each song seems to hold something special to the listener; and for me Seven Seconds will always remind me February 21st 1998. As someone once said, a particular song (love songs usually) will always have strong affections & emotions for one person in their hearts; and this song is no exception. The big problem with ballads such as... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Perfect harmony
Disadvantages: Slightly repetitive??

...I must confess - I have only heard this right through once. I do however own the single "Seven Seconds". It is superb. N'Dour's vocals are haunting, powerful, restrained, imperious, magnificent. The music behind them is soft, inspired and perfect. Seven Seconds, on which most of my knowledge is based, is a true masterpiece. Backed by Neneh Cherry, the song is deeply moving, with a clear and powerful nature. The video, filmed in black and white, is just right. It leaves you contemplative, wanting to hear it again, to discover it's true message. The whole of The Guide is similar. Eminently easy-listening, you won't tire of it, I promise.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great CD, will be different from anything you have ever heard before!
Disadvantages: There are none

..., he regularly attended choir lessons and thus further developed his interest. His influence came from international artists such as Papa Wemba, Youssou N'Dour, Lokua Kanza and Paul Simon. Eric Wainaina took it upon himself to campaign against corruption in Kenya and this led to him being named one of the top 100 Africans of the year for 2000. This album is definitely worth buying, I haven't come across any highstreet stores in the UK selling it, but there are a number of online stores such as amazon and CDbaby. If you do purchase the album, the following few tracks are worth looking out for, Ni Kii Kiega , Dek Dek Dek, Jana Ni Jana and of course Twende Twende. Although it is harder to get ahold of, it is also worth trying to track down the first album! His website is: www.ericwainaina.net Below is the track listing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful