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World Music Index

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...color that your ears can hear

Africa

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Putumayo's Latest Release
April 2004

Women of Africa

A celebration of soulful and inspirational music by female artists from across Africa

Putumayo presents Women of Africa, a collection featuring lyrical and moving songs by leading female artists from throughout the African continent. Women of Africa celebrates the importance of women in contemporary music of this culturally diverse region.

Women have always played an essential role in the preservation of African culture. From lullabies sung to sleepy children to chants of celebration, women are important bearers of tradition. Unlike some areas in the world where females are discouraged from taking part in public musical performance, in sub-Saharan Africa, music is an essential social activity for all members of the community.

While many musical instruments are traditionally played exclusively by men, women often provide the voice of Africa's music. This legacy carries over from traditional to contemporary music, and many of today's most popular singers in Africa are women.

Women of Africa features Putumayo's favourite songs by women from Algeria to Zimbabwe. Ranging from internationally revered artists like Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Tarika (Madagascar), Women of Mambazo (South Africa), Khadja Nin (Burundi) and Dorothy Masuka (Zimbabwe), to rising stars such as Judy Sephuma (South Africa), Souad Massi (Algeria), and Sibongile Khumalo (South Africa), to new discoveries Nawal (Comoros), Maria de Barros (Cape Verde), Kaïssa (Cameroon), and Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast), the artists on Women of Africa represent a wide spectrum of today's African music scene.

My Review:
I have just got my copy of this cd and it is fast becoming one of my favorites. These women can sing, and the warmth of Africa radiates from their voices, from the Arab-inflected Saharan sounds of Souad Massi's "Raoui" to the great a cappella ensemble singing of the Women of Mambazo's "Vimba." This last, particularly, is about as close as we can get to what it must feel like to be a baby wrapped on the broad, warm back of Mama Africa. I love it. My only question on this one is, "When are we going to get Volume II?" - bh

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