Two African music power house unite to deliver this
ode to the African woman. Here we hear the "Wombolombo" madam,
Angélique Kidjo with her sonorous voice blend perfectly with Asa's to deliver
some great music
The Beninese icon Angélique Kidjo returns to
diva-dom with her album titled EVE as an ode to women across the continent. The
collaboration rich Eve is set to be released
early next year through 429 records features the joint efforts of
Vampire Weekend‘s Rostam Batmanglij, Kronos Quartet, NOLA legend Dr. John, as
well as Kenyan and Beninese women’s choirs. The first single “Eva” (not to be
confused with the album name) showcases a double dose of vocals from
Nigerian/French soulstress Asa.
On Eve, her highly anticipated Savoy Records debut
named for her own mother as well as the mythical mother of all living, the
Beninese born, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter builds on this
ever-evolving legacy with a 13-track, three interlude set of melodically rich,
rhythmically powerful expressions of female empowerment. These songs become all
the more intimate and emotionally urgent with Kidjos dynamic collaborations
with traditional women s choirs from Kenya and various cities and villages in
Benin. The singer and her newfound native lady friends sing in a wide array of
native Beninese languages, including Fon (Kidjo s first language), Yoruba,
Goun, and Mina.
Eve is an album of remembrance of African women I
grew up with and a testament to the pride and strength that hide behind the
smile that masks everyday troubles, says Kidjo, whose accolades include a 20
year discography, thousands of concerts around the world and being named Africa
s premier diva (Time Magazine) and the undisputed Queen of African Music (Daily
Telegraph). They exuded a positivity and grace in a time of hardship. On this
recording I am letting the voices of the women show their beauty to the world,
she adds. Eve is all about showcasing the positivity they bring to their
villages, cities, culture and the world.
Eve
Track listing:
1) M’Baamba (Kenyan Song)
2) Shango Wa
3) Eva (featuring ASA)
4) Interlude: Agbade
5) Bomba (featuring Rostam Batmanglij)
6) Hello (featuring Trio Teriba)
7) Blewu
8) Kamoushou
9) Kulumbu (featuring Dr. John)
10) Interlude: Kletedjan
11) Ebile (featuring Kronos Quartet)
12) Awalole (featuring the Orchestre Philharmonique
du Luxembourg)
13) Bana (featuring Yvonne Kidjo)
14) Orisha
15) Interlude: Wayi
16) Coari
FreshLikeMorningDew: EVA ft ASA
