Juju Music

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.com
Quite possibly the most beautiful and influential West African record ever released internationally, Juju Music remains a revelation. With a phalanx of electric guitars that functions like a percussion section, and talking drums that sound like a gossipy Greek chorus, Nigerian juju star King Sunny Ade and His African Beats, all 20 of them, proved that African music could be as complex, dramatic, and symphonic as any European ensemble. Some thanks must go to French producer Martin Meissonier, who took the basic elements of Ade's sound--unison guitars, Yoruban drumming, seamless song medleys, and self-reflexive lyrics--and added a diverse assortment of Jamaican production techniques to heighten, deepen, and psychedelicize a sound that, with Ade's deliciously sweet vocals and the haunting strains of Demala Adepoju's Hawaiian steel guitar, was plenty wild to begin with. A masterpiece. --Richard Gehr

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-10-04 rating:
Lovely Mulitilayed Music.
Everything is multi layered in King Sunny Ade's juju music. Meshed guitar riffs, horn lines and drums add up to a prismatic funk behind Mr. Ade's gently determined voice; even his lyrics are layered with comments from talking drums. His band is an orchestra, a party, a dance contest, and one of the finest ensembles in any form of music. This CD is one of his finest. To get a better feel of Sunny Ade, check out www.ariyaspot.com, where one can buy his live play recordings from as early as 1970 before he hit the International Music scene. KSA 9022 Mama Koko, is a favorite, I ordered from Ebay.

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review by: date: 2007-09-21 rating:
Mesmerizing
Most times I can tell you where when and why I bought any CD out of my collection or connect some story to it. Yet this CD is a mystery. I know I bought myself - no X-Mas or B-Day gift, and I know it was about the mid-nineties when I bought this, but after that I go blank. I never played this any of my girlfriends, never made love to anyone while having it on - although it is suited well for such things, I never played when anyone ever came over for any reason, never put on any mixtapes, but I have played it enough till it needs to be replaced. So this gem I have kept to myself lo all these many years. I blast it before going out. I play it low when I'm reading. Its all around great, so I don't need to know from whence it came, just that its safely snug on the shelf waiting to unleash its sound from my speakers when I beckon.

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review by: date: 2007-05-29 rating:
Historical, but conceptual innovation may overshadow a little of the content
By no means short of what it's massive reputation suggests, King Sunny Ade's legendary album is not without flaw. It is true that the disc still holds up as some of the most successful fusion of diverse African (and other) instrumentation to date, at least in the ears of lesser informed (ie: all those not integrated into the indie African music scene). The Nigerian classic became such from all the amazing experimental modes this band leader would explore when imparting his own characteristics unto this Juju music. Quite simply, there are still few African imports that have broken as much ground, but that is not to say a few tracks do not become mired in their own ramblings. Despite a few tracks missing perfection, the album's utterly infectious mixture of traditional and alternative groove-oriented elements continues to impress over time, offering plenty of sublime moments inside the tremendously bright experience.

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review by: lame duck date: 2006-03-12 rating:
classic and infectious
I wore out the grooves on the vinyl ... so I had to get the disc, which sounds great. A staple in any music lover's diet.


review by: burningfield date: 2003-11-23 rating:
perfectly great music
I got this CD in a local book/CD store's reggae section. As timeless & beautifully as it is, I just want you to know that the music focuses more on the intricate African rhythms than upbeats, as he's from Nigeria & devoted to carrying traditions of Nigeria. Important thenes here are spirituality, mrality, & honor. This music, from conception to production, is a vision immaculately realized. That's why this has earned its reputation as one of the most monumental recordings of the 20th century, not only of this kind of music but ever!

I hope this review has been helpful to you!

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