Bambay Gueej

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Bambay Gueej
Studio album by
Cheikh Lô
Released1999
2000 (International)
StudioStudio Xippi
LabelWorld Circuit
Nonesuch[1]
ProducerNick Gold, Youssou N'Dour
Cheikh Lô chronology
Ne la Thiass
(1995) 		Bambay Gueej
(1999) 		Lamp Fall
(2005)

Bambay Gueej is an album by the Senegalese musician Cheikh Lô.[2][3] It was released toward the end of 1999, with an international release in 2000.[4][5] Lô supported the album with a European tour.[6]

Production[edit]

Produced by Nick Gold and Youssou N'Dour, the album was recorded at N'Dour's Studio Xippi, in Dakar, Senegal.[7][4] Pee Wee Ellis arranged the horn charts; Richard Egües played flute.[8][9] Oumou Sangaré sang on "Bobo-Dioulasso".[1] Lô was influenced as much by Cuban music as by mbalax.[10]

The title track is about the Senegalese religious figure Amadou Bamba; it roughly translates as "Bamba, Ocean of Peace".[11][12] The lyrics of many of the songs were inspired by Sufism.[13]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Robert ChristgauA−[15]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[16]
The Scotsman[17]
Winston-Salem Journal[8]

Robert Christgau wrote that "the pan-Africanism never sounds forced on what remains a studio creation even though Lô's band drives every cut."[15] The Guardian called the album "an exercise in easy-going Afro-American funk with Cuban overtones, with the title track echoing that other African James Brown fan, Fela Kuti."[18] The Orange County Register concluded that though Lô's "tunes may be booty-shakingly heavy, they aren't above sweet string flourishes or soft-focus balladry."[19]

The Scotsman noted that "the album is full of happy charms like the bubbling talking drum or the ethereal sidestep in the middle of 'Dawsile'."[17] The Irish Times stated that Bambay Gueej "crosses so many musical boundaries and moods that it is dizzying, and yet Lo's music and singing never sound anything but completely African, but African with confidence and conviction."[20]

AllMusic wrote that "Lo's piercing tenor voice and passionate delivery add keen excitement to the music ... It's a delightful dance album made with great honesty."[14]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
1."M'Beddemi" 
2."Jeunesse Senegal" 
3."N'Jarinu Garab" 
4."Bambay Gueej" 
5."N'Dawsile" 
6."Africadën" 
7."Bobo-Dioulasso" 
8."N'Dokh" 
9."Zkir" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Eyre, Banning (Mar 2000). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly (79): 50.
  2. ^ Gregg, Emma; Trillo, Richard (August 4, 2003). "The Rough Guide to the Gambia". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Hermes, Will (Aug 2000). "Afropop Worldwide". Spin. 16 (8): 151.
  4. ^ a b Williamson, Nigel (Sep 18, 1999). "Global music pulse". Billboard. 111 (38): 75.
  5. ^ "Cheikh Lô Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  6. ^ Trapp, Roger (16 Oct 1999). "JAZZ & BLUES". Features. The Independent. p. 39.
  7. ^ Paoletta, Michael (Jul 29, 2000). "Bambay Gueej". Billboard. 112 (31): 23.
  8. ^ a b Bumgardner, Ed (July 21, 2000). "HAPPY FEET: LO'S 2ND CD HAS WORLDWIDE APPEAL". Winston-Salem Journal. p. E1.
  9. ^ "Cheikh Lô Bambay Gueej (World Circuit)". www.austinchronicle.com.
  10. ^ Kessler, Michael (1 Feb 2003). "Message in the music". The Courier-Mail. p. M4.
  11. ^ Hecht, David (27 Jan 2000). "A Senegalese Singer Mixes the Street and the Spiritual". The New York Times. p. E2.
  12. ^ Scott, Ron (12 July 2001). "African Music Festival at Lincoln Center". New York Amsterdam News. No. 28. p. 27.
  13. ^ Varga, George (July 20, 2000). "Painting portraits in sound are a rich gift for the listener". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 16.
  14. ^ a b "Cheikh Lô - Bambay Gueej Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  15. ^ a b "Robert Christgau: CG: Cheikh Lô". www.robertchristgau.com.
  16. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 287.
  17. ^ a b Dunnett, Ninian (25 Sep 1999). "Cheikh Lo, Bambay Gueej". The Scotsman. p. 23.
  18. ^ Denselow, Robin (24 Sep 1999). "Cheikh Lo Bambay Gueej". Guardian Friday Review Pages. The Guardian. p. 20.
  19. ^ Wener, Ben (July 7, 2000). "SOUND CHECK". Orange County Register. p. F50.
  20. ^ Breen, Joe (2 Oct 1999). "Roots". Weekend. The Irish Times. p. 72.
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