Thu Jan 28 2021
4
This is why I love this project. I never would have found this. And I may never listen to again. But dang did I like it on this car trip.
This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
Mansour Seck
1989
- Album Summary
Djam Leelii is the first widely distributed album of Senegalese musician Baaba Maal and guitarist Mansour Seck. Several of the tracks have been released on Baaba Maal's later releases. It was originally recorded in 1984 and released in 1989 by Mango Records. A 1998 edition from Palm Records raised the number of tracks to twelve. The album was featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Reviews
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Date
Fri Jun 25 2021
4
This is lovely! Relaxing, hopeful, energetic, and worldly. It makes me feel far away (in a nice way).
Wed Jun 09 2021
3
Ok so random thoughts on this: 1. Finally something I'd never have heard of otherwise, and not just the Beatles or Bowie for the umpteenth time. 2. Cool guitars and tribal drums. I dunno if traditional music, but something close to it? 3. Singing is alright but wears out its welcome. Gets too Arabic-sounding after a while, like those annoying prayer calls that just blast at 100 decibels in the streets in MENA countries. 4. This album shouldn't go for over an hour. A bit too repetitive. But it would've been fine at 30min for sure. 3/5.
Thu May 20 2021
5
Great listen, atmospheric achostic vibes with african influence, no lyrics some chanting. good to listen and loose yourself in
Thu Jun 03 2021
5
Gorgeous instrumentation and vocals. I have heard Baaba Maal mentioned by other musicians so it was great to actually be able to listen to him.
Mon Jun 14 2021
4
Looks like something I might be interested in... Baaba Maal seems to be a big figure in the music of Senegal, and this is his debut with friend Mansour Seck. It has great vocals from both, in traditional African stylings. On the best tracks (like Muudo Hormo) we also get cool, traditional, organic percussion that fits perfectly. Personally, I'm not a huge guitar fan, so the turn-off for me is the predominance of acoustic (and one time electric) guitar across this album. Having said that, these guys tend towards beautiful, simple melodies that repeat and gradually develop. The best tracks are hypnotically repetitious, which is just the shit I love in any genre of music. It seems like this has just been chosen for the list as "world music for guitar fans" - but I can put up with that, because it's a mesmerising album. 4/5.
Mon Nov 22 2021
4
Kind of cool. Never would have found this on my own. Songs are all a bit long and of course I have no idea what the lyrics are, but the instrumentals are interesting and it really handles the role of background music very well.
Sun Jan 30 2022
2
I've never heard something like that before, it was a cool experience. Nevertheless felt kinda boring, songs were too long and repeatable, both singing and melodies. And still not my type of music.
Mon Apr 12 2021
1
I can't for the life of me understand why this album is on 1001. For lack of a better explanation, I'll once again blame the British for this album appearing on 1001 as some attempt to appease their colonial guilt. I'm guessing Baaba is from a West African country. I'm from a North American country. I respect whatever musical traditions they're bringing to the table, and I have a personal responsibility to bring an open mind and hear this music with as few hangups and expectations built up from 36 years of "western" pop traditions, but I sure as hell don't have to like this. Songs are repetitious, droning, no change in dynamics, no development arc. I found small pockets of beauty, but I can find small pockets of beauty in a sewage processing plant. What is the point of this album? Is it just to feel one thing (detached mild ennui) and feel that same thing over and over again until the album ends? Did Baaba Maal want their listeners to accidentally fall asleep at the wheel and plow into a dairy farm? Perhaps perhaps perhaps if I understood the language there could be a deeper emotional impact, but that would have to be some exquisite poetry to overcome the doldrums of the music. D-
Thu Jan 28 2021
4
Dreamy
Wed Jul 21 2021
4
Really loved the ethereal feel of this. I didn't pay as much attention to each track as I'd have liked, but having it on in the background is wonderful.
Thu Oct 07 2021
4
I never would have given this a chance if it weren't for this project, so score a point for the list. Some really nice guitar work that really grew on me as I listened. Best track: Kettodee
Fri Nov 12 2021
2
Not sure, at track one, if this is a me album. Intensely folky and repetitive, but I'm keeping an open mind. It's nice in places, but I'm just not deeply into Senegalese folk jams. Clearly it has value, but it sounds a lot like any other culture jamming - pleasurable for the musician more than the listener. Then it might just be me not understanding the culture well enough. Don't mind some Tinariwen or Manu Chao, but this just isn't grabbing me.
Mon Jan 10 2022
2
Not for me. Very long. I can appreciate the fact that it's a completely different style than I've really heard before, but I just couldn't get into it.
Fri Mar 04 2022
5
Uauuuu!
Thu Jan 21 2021
4
A little different, tribal sounding for the most part, that's the point of these right, to listen to a lot of different sounds!
Mon Feb 14 2022
4
Senegalese tunes and familiar western rhythms are combined beautifully. The album starts with high-energy tracks, and the melodies become more thoughtful later.
Wed Mar 30 2022
4
I didn't understand it at all, but it's very nice to receive this kind of album here on this list. Just listen to it and it's absolutely impossible does not to note the importance and influence of these songs in almost everything I listen to every day. The language, the drums, and everything else is recognizable in some way Unexpected surprise, not understandable, but very cool!
Mon Jan 10 2022
3
Imaginez un album d'environ une heure constitué de pistes elles-mêmes constituées d'interminables boucles mélodiques. Imaginez maintenant qu'un homme y superpose des sénégalaiseries chantées pour nous faire oublier la redondance de l'instrumental. Vous obtiendrez alors l'album Djam Leelii de Baaba Maal et lui accorderez une note de trois sur cinq.
Sun Dec 12 2021
2
I did not need to listen to this. The music itself is unremarkable. I didn't skip any songs, but I tolerated it.
Fri Mar 19 2021
1
Did not listen, absolutely zero interest in this type of music.
Thu Jun 03 2021
1
In this book to hit a diversity quota. Absolute drivel.
Thu Apr 01 2021
5
This album was a VIBE it felt ALIVE Ko Wone Mayo was especially memorable. Fuck it, five stars, this was unlike anything else, a really nice album.
Sun Jul 18 2021
5
Musik um ihretwillen; sie erzählt und wird getragen von der Erzählung der Instrumente im Reich des Halls. Der Gesang überkommt die call response Struktur der weithin so gebauten Stammesgesänge. Erinnert eher an Blues und ist in seiner analog trancigen Art einer der Ursprünge für Schaffens des Animal Collective. Mesmerized 4.5
Thu Jun 03 2021
5
Beautiful. Surprised I'd never heard this before, will be a favourite and need to investigate more of Maal's work
Sun Jun 05 2022
5
I discovered Baaba in college, so I knew what I was getting into. Love the instrumentation and the hauntingly beautiful singing. I could listen to this all day forever.
Fri Jul 15 2022
5
1989 - World Music (hard to describe - Classic guitar; Xylophone; Steel Drum; Chant)
Sun Oct 30 2022
5
After shirking my 1001 duties for a week, this is a mighty fine album to return to. Baaba Maal was another one of the artists who were key to getting me hooked on African music. I didn't have Djam Leelii but bought his next album Baayo - (which is also excellent). Thankfully my copy is still in good shape since I can't find the full Baayo LP on Spotify or YouTube. The guitars and his voice are quite amazing. Not much else to talk about but that is definitely enough.
Thu Dec 22 2022
5
A decolonial masterpiece!
Fri Jan 06 2023
5
I’m in shock. Where did Baaba Maal emerge from? And how am I only hearing of him this moment? With Djam Leelii Maal and Mansour Seck have created one of the most hauntingly beautiful albums I’ve ever heard coming out of Africa. Maal’s vocal is both powerful and full of emotional range while Seck’s guitar playing will haunt my ears for days - not to mention the effect kora and balafon has on this record! Djam Leelii might easily end up in the top 5 of African records for me.. Until I’m sure I’m going to dive deeper into Baaba Maal’s discography and look forward to the March release of his upcoming album, Being.
Fri Jan 06 2023
5
So this could just be the early stages of a crush talking, but I might just have a new favourite world music album. I was completely hooked from the get-go and the interest never faltered through the 9 tracks. This record really is something else. Baaba Maal has an amazing and unconventional voice, and the acoustic guitar of Mansour Seck is hauntingly beautiful. Adding on top of that the idiophone on for instance 'Muudo Hormo', and the result is an incredible atmosphere transporting the listener to somewhere else entirely. What impresses me is how the record manages to be so so groovy while still leaving plenty of space for contemplation. Definitely worthy of a lot more listens.
Fri Apr 14 2023
5
One of the reasons I'm doing the 1001 albums challenge is to discover gems like this album. What a stunningly beautiful record it is. A few guitars, percussions and a touching voice and the end result is simply magic. I don't understand the lyrics - though I made some research and read about what they sing about - but it's a good proof how music can connect different cultures, backgrounds, and people together. This album touches my heart deeply. Just wonderful.
Fri Aug 04 2023
5
Stupendous.
Sun Aug 06 2023
5
absolutely beautiful favorite track was probably Maacina Tooro, but the whole album is just so wonderful 10/10
Thu Sep 28 2023
5
Great African music. The vibe is perfect here
Sun Jul 18 2021
4
I like this kinda stuff… very relaxing!
Thu Nov 05 2020
4
oooh traditional, i like it
Thu Sep 24 2020
4
Sonically interesting, perfect blend of electronic sounds and traditional African sounds and beats.
Thu Sep 24 2020
4
pretty interesting
Thu Feb 11 2021
4
Solid as hell. Good vibes, reminds me of that one Ethiopian song I love from Feets' Ice Caps playlist
Fri Jan 22 2021
4
Pretty cool, good vibe
Sat Apr 24 2021
4
4
Thu Jan 28 2021
4
Really enjoyed this. So unique. The instrumentals were a highlight throughout the album
Fri Mar 12 2021
4
good easy listening, like Savane
Fri Mar 26 2021
4
4
Sun May 16 2021
4
I loved the style and the instrumentation. Will listen again.
Wed Jun 09 2021
4
good zulul
Fri Jul 30 2021
4
Una nova descoberta de la llista. Evidentment, el que més destaca és l'increïble treball de guitarres, que juntament amb una percusió minimalista i unes veus encisadores creen un disc hipnòtic, magnètic. Una mena de 'Marquee Moon' meets 'Graceland' filtrat per l'herència senegalesa. Molt bó, realment
Thu Sep 16 2021
4
A very interesting sound. I wish I understood the lyrics. I liked most of what I heard as far as instrumentation.
Fri Sep 17 2021
4
Jeden z tych pickow ktorych sie czlowiek nie spodziewa, bo jest to folkowy album prosto z senegalu, Baaba Maal, to glowa tego projektu, ale wspierany jest przez Mansoura Secka, zarowno na wokalu jak i gitarce, wiec jest to praktycznie plyta duetu Maal-Seck, dodatkowymi instrumentami ktore mozna uslyszec podczas odsluchu to tradycyjne afrykanskie sprzety, tym razem z afryki zachodniej, bo pojawia sie balafon, ktory jest afrykanskim odpowiednikiem ksylofonu, kora ktora mozna okresic jako 21 strunowa harfe, do tego perkusyjne bebnienia i elemety elektrycznych rifow, spotifajowa wersja tej plyty to 12 kawalkow i godzina 12 minut czasu grania, bo jest to wydanie z 98, natomiast orginalne wydanie pochodzi z 89, choc material nagrywany na nia pochodzi juz nawet z 84, nawet pomimo tego, ze kontentu lirycznego nie rozumiem ani troche, to jednak slucha sie tego przyjemnie, bo jest to cos nowego, takiego polaczenia dzwiekow nie slyszalem wczesniej, bo jednak afryka jest dluga i szeroka, a wiekszosc afrykanskich materialow jakie osluchalem, to poludnie i ewentualna polnoc, a zachod ma swoj orginalny urok, ciezko tu wrzucic cos na plejke, bo jednak brzmi to tak odmiennie ze ciezko zgrupowac to na dana plejke, wiec cala plyta leci na poleczke orginalnych pickow plejkowych, nieposzerzajacych horyzonty muzyczne
Wed Nov 24 2021
4
Good world music album. I like the instrumentals, it's a bit slower than I prefer with some of that type of music I listen to. Still good!
Fri Dec 24 2021
4
Love it!
Wed Jan 26 2022
4
Nije nešto šta inače slušam (shocker) ni šta ću vjerojatno opet ić slušat ali prezanimljiv zvuk, jako muzikalno i smirujuće (možda bi i trebala ponovit s vremena na vrijeme?)
Sun Jan 30 2022
4
What a mesmerising experience it is to hear this album again. Extraordinary!
Wed Feb 02 2022
4
Very interesting. The guitar was excellent
Thu Feb 10 2022
4
Very unexpected and melodious album
Thu Feb 17 2022
4
Is this what used to be in the reductive "world music" sections in gift shops and book stores? A really enjoyable listen. Baaba has an enchanting voice.
Thu Feb 17 2022
4
Very lovely. Glad to be introduced to a genre and musical style that I would have been unlikely to find otherwise. Album felt a little long at times and I probably need to be in the right mood for it.
Fri Mar 11 2022
4
A Travel to Senegal sounds.I’ve really liked these album. Sometimes we have to experience knew cultures.
Wed Mar 30 2022
4
There's some really beautiful music on this album. The guitar playing is absolutely amazing and the percussion compelling and infectious. The vocals took some getting used to but never intruded on my enjoyment of the music. A really beautiful listening experience. 4 🌟
Wed Apr 20 2022
4
detta svängde!
Fri May 13 2022
4
Really hard to describe this album. It is beautiful stuff. It is easy to call it World Music but that does it a disservice as that can just be used for anything not euro/American. I really enjoyed it and want to hear more
Wed May 25 2022
4
Senegalese goodness
Wed Jun 01 2022
4
3.75
Mon Jun 06 2022
4
As always with non-English language selections I feel like I can’t fully appreciate this. The instrumentation is fantastic, and although the signing style is way outside my cultural zone, it was interesting, and complemented the music.
Wed Jul 20 2022
4
This is a new one for me. Very powerful and interesting blend of Senegalese and western music. Almost hypnotic. I will come back to this one.
Mon Aug 29 2022
4
Really good, and good for background. Will listen again
Fri Sep 16 2022
4
I really don't know how to listen to world music in a non-exoticising way: to hear this as just, normal. But it is good, sometimes mellow, sometimes soulful.
Sun Sep 25 2022
4
Love it
Thu Sep 29 2022
4
A good album to zone out to.
Thu Sep 29 2022
4
Lovely to chill to
Fri Sep 30 2022
4
Hypnotic and beautiful 3.5/4
Fri Sep 30 2022
4
Ethereally beautiful
Wed Oct 05 2022
4
No niin, nyt on semmosta mitä odotin tältä listalta miljoonan britti-indie-rocklevyn sijasta. Kunnollista. 4/5.
Wed Oct 05 2022
4
Olipas hyvä! Upea tunnelma.
Wed Oct 05 2022
4
Tää on aika raikas! Kiva kuunnella tällasta soundii mitä on lähinnä kuullut kokoelmalevyiltä. Tää taas on niin selkeesti oma albuminsa. Oon kuunnellut paljon afrofunkkii, josta tykkään hiivatisti. Tää taas on astetta folkimpaa ja ehk osittain sellast tribaalimpaa ilmasuu. Tykkään hirmu paljon mutta tiedän sen verran vähän tästä genrestä eetten uskalla arvostella kun vahvan kolmosen eli nelosen. 4/5
Thu Nov 17 2022
4
I didn't really care for the other Baaba Maal album; maybe Mansour Seck was key to this one. Tracks 10-12 didn't seem to fit or be as good but I may have only thought that b/c I knew they weren't on the original album.
Wed Nov 23 2022
4
Vraiment bon, j'aurais préféré uniquement instrumental, mais c'est très relaxant comme musique. À revisiter
Thu Jan 12 2023
4
Pleasant, lilting, hypnotic guitar and percussion rubs up against impassioned and characterful singing. The tunes here don't particularly grab this listener - rather, they lope along lazily and work their charms in subtle ways. On the sparser arrangements it's cool to hear what sounds a lot like the blues. It's especially apparent on 'Djam Leelii', its rhythm guitar slinking around like a cat at night.
Thu Jan 19 2023
4
Very pleasant - could happily listen to this all day. Fave track - "Djam Leelii" maybe? It's less about stand out tracks and more about dissolving into the flow, though...
Thu Jan 19 2023
4
The guitar feels like chilled Spanish style, the drums softly grooving in the background with lovely call and response vocals. Nice relaxed vibe. I have no idea what the songs are about but it doesn’t matter
Wed Jan 25 2023
4
This was a very different sound from what I am used to, and really enjoyed it.
Wed Feb 22 2023
4
Love the dualing guitars and percussion.
Thu Feb 23 2023
4
I really enjoyed this, though I did lose some interest after a while
Wed Mar 15 2023
4
It’s a beautiful thing being able to easily listen to music from around the world. I love the unique styles and sounds that each culture comes up with.
Wed Mar 22 2023
4
A nice slice of Senegalese music. Enjoyable even if I didn't understand anything words.
Thu Mar 30 2023
4
Actually better than expected
Sun Apr 02 2023
4
Atmospherically sunny, and in a way enchanting probably due to the non familiar language to me - but while it’s rooted firmly to its west African roots - at least from what I can tell - the whole album comfortably references jazz and other western influences - another interesting discovery through this project.
Sun Apr 09 2023
4
Motifs en simplicité pour développement de belles mélodies. La voix ajoute une couleur émotive poignante
Sun Apr 23 2023
4
I think I can safely say that this album was my first exposure to Senegalese music. And it was a good listen, particularly for a busy day at work. The intermingling guitars were semi-repetitive, in a way that allowed me to zone out and focus on my work. But the melodies were very pleasant. And the xylophones on "Taara" were joyful and cute and lovely. The instrumentation in general was quite nice, even if the vocals were sort of grating -- my fault, as I don't speak the language, so it was just noise to me. My only other complaint is that the album is a little on the longer side, but I'd by lying if I said I noticed on this listen. Probably a 3.5 if I'm being honest, but I'll round up. A good atmospheric listen.
Wed Apr 26 2023
4
Excellent album and some very welcome World variety. Expertly performed guitar compositions, a beyond enjoyable listening experience.
Mon May 08 2023
4
it was exciting, i liked that, but i probably won't play it again
Thu May 18 2023
4
This album was entrancing and wonderful. What studio production and electronic additions there are, such as on Daane Lenol, are sparing and don’t get in the way of the songs themselves. Really cool syncopation between the guitars, throughout.
Sat May 20 2023
4
Redelijk traditioneel klinkende Afrikaanse muziek, met een westers klinkend gitaartje er onder. Ik kon het wel smaken
Tue Jun 06 2023
4
Really innovative guitar and a cool different sound
Wed Jun 21 2023
4
Loved this! Unique, authentic, catchy.
Sun Jun 25 2023
4
I had Baaba Maal's album Lam Toro recently and liked it, but I can't remember now what it sounded like. I liked this, too. I think the guitar gave it a more familiar and accessible feel for western audiences. I'm not sure I'd listen to it again but it was pleasant.
Sun Jul 09 2023
4
Hypnotic and brilliant in its execution. I feel silly that this music exists but I never exposed myself to it. Joyous
Thu Jul 20 2023
4
I have a very limited knowledge of any African music beyond Burna Boy, Tems and Fela so I had never heard of Baaba Maal until his album Lam Toro was generated for me a few weeks ago and I never got around to Lam Toro but I am now glad I didn't because I can now listen to Baaba's albums in order. With all that being said this album was really good. Despite not understanding the lyrics the other aspects of the songs were really good. The production and instrumentation were really enjoyable and I felt like this album had really good atmosphere. Similar to a lot of African music that I have listened to there is a lot of repeated lines as well as call and response and this at times can go a little to far and become somewhat annoying but I really only felt that on one or two tracks. Also as a side note the backup singers throughout the album sounded so good especially on "Djam Leelii". Either way this is a very solid 9/10 for me and I definitely can see myself coming back to this album.
Fri Jul 28 2023
4
Unsure how to rate this, but I liked it better than the last few 3’s so giving it a 4 Obviously I have no idea what they’re saying, but the recording sounds really great. The drone-y repetitive grooves make it kind of meditative. Ko wone mayo is really cool and sounds a little different from the rest. The vocals (and instruments) sound a little more Carnatic than some other west African music I’ve heard.