The best African musician
Patjam | 10/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lokua Kanza has one of the most exceptional voices of Africa. It is smooth, melancholichas and it has a clarity that rings out, calls you from what you're doing and begs you to chill and relax. Lokua Kanza is a musician of multiple talents, a singer, composer or arranger as required. As for his undeniable artistic feeling, it has attracted artists from many different horizons, from Youssou N'Dour to Patrick Bruel. Lokua has brilliantly ensured the renewal of African music, this genius artist delivers music beyond the usual ndombolo sound, and he does it with a lot of class, creativity and simplicity!
Plus Vivant is an album of guitar introspections ("Si Tu Pars"); some done in an R&B style ("Le monde est fou"), some haunting acoustic ballads ("Mal a dire"), and some upbeat tracks, which point towards the african style without being overpowering. There's some beautiful piano, some exceptional guitar solos and it's all very pleasant.
For those who like discovering new music genres, I strictly recommend this album to you. Lokua Kanza is the best African musician and my personal favorite. Trust me you will go back and buy all his previous works (especially Toyebi Te!). Bravo Lokua, we're proud of you!!!"
Outstanding Artist
Elonga | 02/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My father introduced me to Lokua Kanza. I was shocked by the substance in his work. Lokua Kanza's music makes me feel like I am receiving a treat. I feel that he really applies himself and never assumes that we will buy his music just because he is one of us, an African.
Monsieur Kanza is a solid artist with music that haunts you and pulls your heart-strings(I understand why people cry at his concerts). As a Congolese-American, Lokua Kanza's music alleviates my homesickness because he is able to preserve and transmit an essence of Africa and Africans that commercialized crap cannot.
I love the inclusion of traditional African music in Kanza's avant-garde work. And, I never realized how much depth was added to a song when the lyrics/stories are written by someone like Lokua Kanza (especially when he expresses himself in african languages).
I have been transformed by Lokua Kanza's music, because he shows how to stand tall on your African heritage while living in the West and still produce things that can touch all human beings.
Excellent travail Papa Kanza!!!!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1