just brought the cd yesterday. can't put it down!!! long live les nu!!!

now you understand why sandi is my muse.

high five to you my sista'! =)

Les Nubians presents Echos – ‘Chapter One: Nubian Voyager’ (Triloka)

Les Nubians’ return is packed with new and familiar territories. The base for ‘Chapter One: Nubian Voyager’ came from the sisters’ 1999 US Tour in which they invited poets/slammers from various parts of the country to perform on stage and record in the studio. I don’t know how the poets got enlisted, but somehow the sisters exposure to the local music scene must’ve made an impression. Also enlisted are other poets from France, Poland, Senegal, Cameroon and Armenia.

‘Chapter One: Nubian Voyager’ takes us to 21 tracks of live and studio sessions – divided into four suites: (1) La Terre-Mere/Motherland; (2) Urban City Life/Dans La Ville; (4) Des Hommes Et Des Femmes/Love Stories; and (4) Spiritual Human Nature/Les Elements. Each track offers a collage of love, politics, places and evolution. The production is amazingly jazzy and soulful – I hear strong live slams and elegant tales in African rhythms. Much of songs were composed and arranged by Helene, Celia with a host of musicians/artists.

These talented wordsmiths created storylines of places traveled and spaces been, many topics ranging from their environment, slavery, self-determination, and love. Once you listen to these tracks you feel that you entered into their room eavesdropping on English & French conversations. And in those conversations are vocal tracks, remixes and fresh materials that are sure to please. The first suite opens with an intro by poet Souleymane Diamanka’s “Elle est nèe en Nubie.” Souleymane’s voice is cool and inviting. You will also notice Souleymane narrates on other tracks as well as ends the series. The rest of the tracks in the first suite have an ancestral texture reflecting the present and past. The live slams are incredible --- check out Queen GodIs’ “Freedom (Live)” from the La Terre-Mere/Motherland suite recorded live from one of Les Nubians’ shows. Queen Godls’ poignant prose over live jazz hip-hop instrumentals. Just picture yourself at your favorite open mic haunts hosted by Les Nubians and someone comes to the stage and seriously rips to shred the struggles of Hip-Hop Kulture.

Not all the tracks are slams - ‘Chapter One: Nubian Voyager’s topics and influences continue to express diversity and creativity. Another highlight is the live version of “Demain” that rocks so much better live using hip-hop, gospel and jazz grooves. Not to mention, Kasema Kalifah’s hypnotic eccentric electro-funk bass on “NYC.” Another guest poet, Jamarhl Crawford’s “To the Queen” reminds me of a love letter spilling devotion to her over slow bass and starry hooks. And don’t forget the return, the master classic – “Embrasse Moi” from Les Nubians debuted CD, ‘Princesses Nubiennes.’ This time song resurfaced as a cool, deep mid-tempo drum’ n bass remix.

The rest of ‘Chapter One: Nubian Voyager’ showers with passion, pride, inner beauty and wisdom. A wonderful gift Les Nubians has presented to us.


Reviewed by Giant Step contributor Sandi Soler (SandiSoler)
November 2005
View SandiSoler’s profile: www.giantstep.net