Track listing
Show track credits
- 1 Set 3:46
- 2 Alboury 4:16
- 3 Sabar 2:34
- 4 Toxiques 3:30
-
producer, remixer
-
- 5 Sinebar 4:17
- 6 Medina 3:22
- 7 Miyoko 3:40
- 8 Xale 4:14
- 9 Fenene 5:15
- 10 Fakastalu 3:51
- 11 Hey You! 3:40
- 12 One Day 3:27
- 13 Ay Chono La 3:12
- Total length: 49:04
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
2 Issues
4 Reviews
The Random 90s Album Series! #42: Youssou N'Dour's Set
Youssou N'Dour was born in Senegal to musician parents; he began performing at circumcisions and baptisms while still a child. His first single, "M'ba," was released when he was thirteen; he became a radio star. By sixteen, with a high, sweet tenor that can cut into bone, N'Dour was the featured vocalist with the Star Band de Dakar. In 1977, he led a walkout and formed Etoile de Dakar; playing an Africanized version of Cuban music, the new group developed into one of Senegal's most influential bands.
Youssou N'Dour creates waves of synth funkiness and jazz-infuenced rhythms in the ocean of the album "Set." Wade in the waters of tracks like "Alboury," which feature splendid sax playing and very summery guitar solo in the middle of the track, accompanied by that sax. Many of the tracks are great, and rather consistent overall, but there are some definite stinkers ("Xale"). For someone who hasn't heard any modern African dance music before, N'Dour gave me a great tour of the scene. Check this one out!
Published
ADVERTISEMENT
The songs of this album is sung in Wolof, the language used in Senegal. Luckily, the album that I have contains English translation so I can understand the meanings of lyrics.
Some songs are about world and african political situation and environmental problems. So I felt this looks like "What's Goin' On" by Marvin Gaye.
An exciting and danceable album.
Moreover, I like this album jacket.
Some songs are about world and african political situation and environmental problems. So I felt this looks like "What's Goin' On" by Marvin Gaye.
An exciting and danceable album.
Moreover, I like this album jacket.
Published
Hmm, African music. I've somehow always been intrigued by African music. I haven't heard a lot of it even now, mainly Salif Keita's Mali-stuff and Fela's afro-beat thunder, but luckily there's plenty to delve upon, it's a big continent.
So, as Youssou N'Dour's one of the big stars internationally, it seemed like a good place to explore. I thought about Vol. 8 : Immigrés / Bitim rew, but saw this one cheap and it seems to be considered among his best so why not! His musical style is Mbalax, which says absolutely nothing to me.
But this Mbalax stuff sure is energetic! It's in constant motion somewhere and the hooks are real earworms. The more meditating, quiet songs don't quite pack the same kind of punch as, say, the fast ones like "Set", "Toxiques", "Miyoko" and "Fenene". That's really the only bad thing about this, and I've also got to say that Youssou's voice is absolutely fantastic. Gonna definitely explore more of him (maybe even the Dakar-stuff).
So, as Youssou N'Dour's one of the big stars internationally, it seemed like a good place to explore. I thought about Vol. 8 : Immigrés / Bitim rew, but saw this one cheap and it seems to be considered among his best so why not! His musical style is Mbalax, which says absolutely nothing to me.
But this Mbalax stuff sure is energetic! It's in constant motion somewhere and the hooks are real earworms. The more meditating, quiet songs don't quite pack the same kind of punch as, say, the fast ones like "Set", "Toxiques", "Miyoko" and "Fenene". That's really the only bad thing about this, and I've also got to say that Youssou's voice is absolutely fantastic. Gonna definitely explore more of him (maybe even the Dakar-stuff).
Published
Votes are used to help determine the most interesting content on RYM.
Vote up content that is on-topic, within the rules/guidelines, and will likely stay relevant long-term.
Vote down content which breaks the rules.
Vote up content that is on-topic, within the rules/guidelines, and will likely stay relevant long-term.
Vote down content which breaks the rules.
Catalog
9 Apr 2024
23 Feb 2024
22 Feb 2024
18 Feb 2024
16 Feb 2024
14 Feb 2024
1 Feb 2024
21 Jan 2024
12 Jan 2024
10 Jan 2024
5 Jan 2024
4 Nov 2023
18 Oct 2023
17 Oct 2023
3 Sep 2023
Contributions
Log in to submit a correction or upload art for this release