Search - Youssou N'Dour, Sting, Peter Gabriel :: Joko (The Link)

Joko (The Link)
Youssou N'Dour, Sting, Peter Gabriel
Joko (The Link)
Genres: International Music, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

Youssou N'Dour's Joko: From Village to Town saw release everywhere except the U.S. But a new label sees this album, similar, but far more tightly focused, doing better in the American market. Gone are the overly Westernize...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Youssou N'Dour, Sting, Peter Gabriel
Title: Joko (The Link)
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Nonesuch
Original Release Date: 9/5/2000
Release Date: 9/5/2000
Genres: International Music, Pop
Style: Africa
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 075597961720

Synopsis

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Youssou N'Dour's Joko: From Village to Town saw release everywhere except the U.S. But a new label sees this album, similar, but far more tightly focused, doing better in the American market. Gone are the overly Westernized fluff and the collaborations with Sting and Wyclef Jean. Two newly recorded tracks, "Mademba (The Electricity Is Out Again)" and "Miss," increase the Senegalese quotient, serving to remind just why N'Dour and his high, charismatic voice are one of music's icons. "This Dream," with Peter Gabriel, remains on this Joko, but it sits well in a set that keeps close to N'Dour's real mbalax roots but still manages to have true Western appeal. N'Dour is in top form throughout, keening the way he once did with Etoile de Dakar, his writing more inventive and assured, and Jimi Mbaye's guitar work outstanding throughout. This is the album N'Dour has needed to make for many years, where his heart and his art meet. A complete success. --Chris Nickson

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CD Reviews

Youssou - Smiles are FREE!!!
Brad | Ontario, Canada | 09/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although most of us learned of Youssou's talents through his backing of Peter Gabriel, his talents were NOT showcased there as well as they are in his solo career. Youssou is a tri-lingual singer (english, french and an African dialect) who brings smiles to his listeners in every song! Youssou's voice and musical stylings are unique and although many of the songs you won't be able to understand, unless you happen to be African, you will still get the message! I can tell that Youssou was smiling during his recording of this album which makes for a happy album that includes a sampling of instruments unique to Africa. Allow me to make one stereotype of Africana music. Being a fan of Africana acts (Affel Bocoum, Ali Farka Toure, Papa Wamba, etc.) I find their ability to have fun with their music and not allow egos to get in the way, is unique to Africana acts. These artists tend to be the most humble and eager to please their audiences. Having just attended an Ali Farka Toure concert (Ali is more bluesey than Youssou) I was most impressed by how many times he asked his 1000+ audience if they were happy - his words sum up the mindset of most Africana music concerts "I am happy, if you are happy". Congrats Youssou on another great offering, and may all your fans buy it up!!!"
Slick, but I like it...!!
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 11/25/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Senegal's Youssou N'Dour is arguably the most famous African pop artist alive; he's certainly one of the leading exponents of the slick, high-tech production style that has grown out of the Parisian expatriate scene over the last few decades... This is his first album in over six years and, like other recent African pop albums, it points to a resolution of the aesthetic bridge that separates fans of a more stripped-down sound and those who like the soft stuff. There are still a few touches that make me cringe -- a soprano sax here, an overwrought chorus there -- but overall this album has a nice organic feel to it... pleasant, listenable, seductive. The only problem, really, is that so many of these songs end so quickly; it's as though someone advised N'Dour to trim his tunes down because eight-minute long songs won't get as much airplay in America. The four-minute long compromises mostly end just when things are getting good, and several seem kind of bluntly edited... The good news is, N'Dour's new songs sound great. I just wish I could hear more of them."
A glorious success, one of my most favourite C.D.'s
robertnicolson | 02/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a magnificent C.D. The best he has done yet!
In the same way that Nelson Mandela is the yardstick for every African Politician, Youssou N'Dour is the yardstick for every African Musician.
As a singer he is unique, as he has both a very powerful voice, and a very wide vocal range.
This is a selection of some wonderfully crafted songs, maybe a bit more popish than his usual offerings, but great nevertheless. Nearly every track is very good, and also there are a few exceptional tracks e.g. Birima.
The musicianship and production on many African artists work often does not do justice to the beauty of their work, possibly due to the financial constraints, however it does on this C.D.
Anybody interested in listening to African music for the first time, must buy this C.D.
Anybody who is an African music lover will have this C.D."