Oremi + We Are One

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.com
Benin-born Afropop star Angelique Kidjo will rock you, but her music is ultimately a wave of higher consciousness. Oremi ("Friends"), her fifth album, makes the first stop of a projected trilogy in the U.S. and creates a coalition between the sounds and spirits of Africa and R&B. The set jumps off with a soul-to-soul gesture--Kidjo's powerhouse take on "Voodoo Child," Jimi Hendrix's prescient nod to his origins. Collaborations with Robbie Neville, Cassandra Wilson, Branford Marsalis, and Kelly Price range from stunning to intoxicating, as in Price and Kidjo's "Open Your Eyes" duet. Kidjo scores as strongly solo and never stoops to preach. "Babalao" is this African sage's moving plea for the world's youth, while "Yaki" is her impish cackle at pretension taking a well-deserved pratfall. The album also contains Kidjo's single from the Lion King II soundtrack, "We Are One." --Elena Oumano

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-11-25 rating:
Oremi by Angelique Kidjo
I cannot say enough about any of her Cds. She is an amazing performer.

Also Amazon does a great job.

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review by: date: 2006-03-19 rating:
Mediocre offering from a usually great artist
I adore Kidjo, recorded and in concert. Her previous CD's are among my favorite music of all time - vibrant, unique, melding diverse cultural rhythms and themes while still keeping her essential West African flair. This album, however, seems a too-obvious ploy to capture a Western audience. There are numerous songs in English, which is not bad in itself, except the lyrics are painfully trite. Much of what was elegant jazzy and bluesy strains on her previous work has been replaced by a funk sound that seems to have come straight out of a bad 80's black sitcom; much of the distinct West Africa quality is lacking as well. Do get her earlier work - Fifa, Aye, Logozo, for they are truly brilliant. This, however, is Kidjo light, less filling and less satisfying. Interestingly, this is the only Kidjo album with a monochrome cover. Even her photo - contrite, in Western dress and with her radically shaved head covered, telegraphs surrender. Maybe she's trying to tell us something. I recently copied all my Kidjo CD's to iTunes; well, almost all. I left this one on the shelf.

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review by: date: 2002-01-14 rating:
You have to see her in concert!
I never heard of Angelique Kidjo until I was invited to go to her show in Louisville, KY. I was totally blown away by her voice, her music, and her dancing ability. Her music is a blend of all types and she serves it up so well. I'm impressed and I love her music

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review by: date: 2001-05-10 rating:
mind-bogglingly good!!
excellent album to widen your musical horizons without worrying about buying something you'll dislike when you take a close listen. not only has this album withstood that test, but i've been walking around with the music in my head for the past week!! heck, my boss *and* our secretary *both* borrowed the CD because they liked the sound, and will probably buy copies of their own!


review by: date: 2001-03-15 rating:
I LoVe ThIs CD
I got turned on to Oremi and after hearing it, hunted until I found FIFA and AYE (thank you Amazon.com). The music and beats are infectious and it really doesn't bother me that I can't understand a thing she's saying. Because with a voice that beautiful, it's all about the music. The lyrics I do understand (like Open Your Eyes) are worthy of being sung again and again. Also, compared to the lyrics of a lot of the songs on the radio, I don't mind my 5 yr old daughter singing her way phonetically through this gem of an album. Kelly Price, Branford Marsallis and Cassandra Wilson were pleasant surprises on an already completely satisfying CD.

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