Djam Leelii

I'm around 820 records in at this point and I'd say less than 10 have been non western albums. I welcome these and am really glad I heard this. It's pretty good, but too long for it's sound. But I dig it.

Hh

🎧Fine background music, never really got into it

Very pleasant listen. I was a bit zoned out from exhaustion to give it proper attention

Pretty good, kinda repetitive but I also had no idea what he was saying. Good stuff

Mal was anderes, aber wirklich nicht schlecht.

2*

I wasn't sure at first but it grew on me. Maybe slightly too long and rather repetitive, but I still enjoyed it The vocals were good and fit the music well, especially on Ko Wone Mayo

This was really lovely and I never would have heard it if it was not for this project.

I just don't like this kind of music. Very repetitive.

Foreign music is hard. Sure, it should probably be on the list but I'm not familiar with the style, language or culture. It's just too inaccessible for someone raised on a western diet. 1.58

Not for me.

It's great to hear some African music on this list. There are so many great artists and genres there that I don't get enough exposure to. This one was new to me and a really enjoyable ride.

É um álbum gostosinho de ouvir. Bem rítmico e com umas músicas viciantes. Por exemplo: Lamtooro, Maacina Tooro, Kettodee e Daande Lenol. Vou ouvir mais vezes

The guitar playing here is amazing! I wish I could understand what the vocalist was singing about. It's not necessarily my style but it was a good listen.

I was kind of vibing with the music but it got a bit repetitive and I couldn't get past the vocals which were kind of annoying. It was OK. 2.5/5

way too repetitive YNN

Compelling stuff, even though I have no idea what’s being said. The timing, the vibe, it’s all great. It also manages to dodge some of the 80s textures when it comes to how it sounds present day. It holds up.

This is what I came here for. Absolutely beautiful. Sounds totally fresh.

Day 0007/1001 of One Album a Day A very relaxing and calmfull listen. Have to say I'm not particularly familiar with the genre of Spiritual Afro-Islamic Soul but was pleasantly suprised by this. Will definately be listening to this whilst working/studying in the future. Hard to pinpoint any favourite/least favourite tracks as the whole album flows in an incredibly seamless way.

такое се

3.5 really enjoy the guitar playing/tone on this album

You (unknowingly) wait 600 albums for Baaba Maal and then two come along (nearly) at once! This was one felt a bit more bluesy but otherwise I feel like I did about the previous one, interesting and enjoyable but mostly background music. Very long too.

Actually rather useful that this was so soon after Lam Toro. This was more enjoyable. Soundscapes, rather than active music. The sort of background noise you might hear in a nice lobby, or in a museum. Djam Leelii was good. Far too long though.

As always with the non English albums, it's difficult to know the context of the songs. Interesting, but not something I'll be rushing back to. Was long too. Think I'm going 2.5

Excellent, catchy acoustic guitar with some kalimba, but vocals grate on the ear.

It was okay.

It works reasonably well as background music. The guitar and vocals are pleasant. After a full listen it became a little monotonous so I didn't do a second listen.

Good, but in a "background music" sort of way, owing to the language barrier and general lack of familiarity with the genre

Largely enjoyed this, even with the language barrier. Agreed that his vocals can be reminiscent of a muezzin, and there's some sameness as the album wears on, but mostly a pleasant listen.

Pleasant to listen to, but it all blurs together. I don't understand the lyrics, so I'm sure I'm missing part of the puzzle. I can't help but think I'd really like this album if the songs were much shorter.

Underrated gem! Completely different from the rest of the list and is great to relax to.

excellent if repetitive melodies, though vocals is tough for me to get past. cool stuff

This was just ok for me. I get that I won't understand the lyrics, but the instrumentation was a bit boring for me. A little too repetitive and simple. Would not seek this out again.

**This is not a bad album and yet to me, not a good album. Monotonous, tracks all sounded alike or very similar.

Honestly really pleasant. Had this dense atmosphere but felt enlightening.

This is cool.

Rules.

2 stars

Not an album I would normally listen to, but enjoyed it. Standout song: Maacina Tooro

A relaxing guitar-heavy instrumental album that’s nice enough to listen to but lacks the interesting and exciting grooves of Maal’s other album on this list, Lam Toro

Loved it. It's understated in a way that makes every replay sound fresh. Great for chill car ride with fam

Found this really relaxing and calming. Wouldn't have heard of it or listened to it if it hadn't been generated! I really loved the guitar melodies and the percussion

This made for a pleasant relief after some humdrum 90s guitar bands. Vibrant and energetic. Superb guitar playing and a definite 5 stars from me.

Really enjoyed it

It's great background working, but perhaps exposes the difficulties of putting music from completely different cultures into one dominated, both in terms of who does the list and who follows the list, by white western rock and roll. See also the odd classical or jazz album that makes it.

This is what I thought this list was

I probably don’t have the opportunity to give this album the attention it deserves during the day. Very low key, tough to get into.

This didn't do much for me. I suppose it was nice to have it on the 1001 in terms of variety of musical styles and exposure to a wide range of artists, but I didn't find it all that compelling.

Va beh si può ascoltare.

2.5

Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck - Djam Leelii This was the one I was scared of the most when I went on on this, but I absolutely loved this album. Yes it's way out of the way of music I listen to, but it's was an awesome discovery for me. (8.33) ★★★★

I really like music from the Sahara region of Africa, but this sounds less interesting to me than a lot of other albums from this part of the world. Still nice, but only a light 3.5 stars

It's really outside of my wheelhouse, so that keeps me from going too high on it, but I thought the stretch from tracks 3-5 was nice and I also liked the closing track. 3 stars.

Call Me NOT Djam Leelii but I wasn’t really that keen on ‘adventuring’ into this. After a quick brisk through it, it seems like gently sinister or gently gentle background music for movies where the action lame or otherwise moves to a scene in Africa. Not awful but a bit boring and not really my ‘Djam’. 2.5 stars.

Absolutely not.

Besides the great music, the liner notes of Ian Anderson about this album are fascinating: "The tale of how this record finally got released here is too involved to repeat in full. One copy of the original cassette found its way to Britain and acquired legendary status among devotees of West African music. Dreams of tracking down the tapes continued unfulfilled for several years until Baaba's English debut in 1988. By then, the original mixes were long lost, but the multi-track tapes of most of the songs were unearthed in Dakar. Hunting for the remainder met a dead end but, to our joy, produced the tapes of another whole session recorded some months earlier. What you have here is a nearly-lost classic of Senegalese music. In November 1988, Baaba and Mansour got together again for a triumphant London concert, proving beyond doubt that this acoustic setting for his music remains equally powerful alongside the complex might of the current electric band"

I'd rather hear a greater diversity of musics like this than yet another US or British album whose relevance I'm left to question. I listened to this record two or three times and enjoyed it more each go around. I can only hope that my level of enjoyment would increase if I understood the subject matter and approach to the themes of the songs (although I have enough experience with listening to music to know that is not guaranteed). Maybe it is that ambiguity or gap that leaves the creators of this 1001 catalogue —Robert Dimery and crew — reticent to remove English language entries but I hope as the book and project evolves over time they become more brave and adventurous in their editing of the canon they've created.

So so

Super glad I listened to this. I wish I was high while it was playing, super trancey, but super simple as well. Something about listening to a foreign language sing is so beautiful. Loved this. Fav Songs: Maacina Tooro

Ikke for mig

Nice, chill, great sounding music. 3/5

This is a really fine album by Baaba Maal and I found it way more approachable and enjoyable than his more political (also important) albums. This was a great one characterized importantly by his amazing voice. What a treasure.

I'm not sure what it was about this, despite not understanding anything, but it gave me the anxieties. I just don't have it in me to allow this to sink in.

East African music has a cool sound. No idea how this one from Baaba Maal compares, but I enjoyed listening to it. The high warbling vocals were a little too much for me at times, but the guitar and percussion are warm and enveloping.

This is a nice collab. Baaba and Mansour blend well together. I could use a bit more liveliness, energy or variation, in the music. But at least I know who my favorite Senegalese musicians are now.

I'm all in for global representation on this list. Orchestra Baobab or Youssou N'Dour would be a much better choice for Senegalese.

This is fine, I don't have much to say.

West-African music is amazing. I love the almost meditative nature of the guitar and the percussion. I love it to bits.

Another one of those "interesting but not for me" albums.

This was fine, but felt a little generic.

This is #day101 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... you must be kidding me. Another album? Precisely a week ago, I got Lam Toro, and now this. As soon as those vocals kick in, I'm like, goddammit. The first song on this album is where it ends for me. I get to think that this list was made by folks who don't have a clue about music. Otherwise, why MUST I listen to this? It's another 1 out of 5. Looking forward to #day102.

I found the music to be a bit too long and repetitive for me.

No thanks, found this very boring and repetitive; not enough variation to justify 1hr 12.

I often like this kind of music but this wasn't so interesting, and was too long.

I didn't think I would like this and wasn't expecting much from it. I was correct, and I should have probably done something better with the time I spent listening to this

No thank you, sorry Baaba

I’m gonna just file this under, “not my thing”

So I’m not sure this album should be on this list, but I am really glad it is as I love discovering new music like this. While it’s some really enjoyable African folk music that became a nice soundtrack to my morning errands, at over an hour long it is a bit too repetitive for me to agree that this should have been included as an album to hear before you die.

Wonderful, and so different from most of the list. I didn't understand a word, but I didn't need to. An artist whose name I had heard, and whose work I look forward to exploring when I'm done with this list

Interesting 3

I just can't really do this one. Will I listen to again: 0%

The main reason that I decided to do this project is to move outside my algorithm and get things like this that I would never hear. It's pleasant and I enjoyed listening, is it the best example of It's field - I have no idea, will I actively seek it out, no probably not, though I have liked the title track, but it's been better than some of the western music I have heard on this so far.

Very enjoyable and out of comfort zone for me 4/5

3 out of 5. I love the sounds of the stringed instruments and the finger work playing them but this album started to sound too similar after a while.

I felt like I was trapped in a neverending Lion King pitch meeting.

Late 80's West-African jams wasn't in my plan for the day... Still isn't really. I'm sure it's beautiful lyrics, but I am not feeling it.

I’m tryna come up with a variation of the Boss Baby joke, something like Person who’s only heard Fela Kuti listening to other African Music: This is giving me major Fela Kuti vibes, but honestly Djam Leelli sounds nothing like Fela Kuti’s work. It’s much more of a vibe, and I really enjoyed it, it’s the sort of thing I can picture myself relaxing to when I’m in a particularly lethargic summer mood, and I’m listening to it at the beginning of November

Uhhhh..fine I guess. I have no comparison i guess. A little annoying by the end

Having this and a Bollywood movie soundtrack back back made me quit the list for a week

I enjoy this a lot. I´d really like to understand more about African music - it is such a huge continent with so much diversity. And I know nothing about its musical scene! Even though I couldn't understand the words, I felt myself bobbing along and vibing with the music. Easy to listen to, and makes an impact even with the language barrier.

I suspect that Baaba Maal was one of the first Worldbeat acts I heard but only in fragments on odd radio programmes. This is very good.

I don't normally listen to this type of music and after today I'm pretty sure that won't change. This album was fine, just not really my cup of tea. Maybe I would like it better if I could understand the lyrics.

Not a sterling example of the genre. A little too subdued.

This is a good time. There was just one moment where I felt that the percussion that was just coming in, was out of place.

Nothing in it for me. Not my Djam.

To preface, I only listened to the original eight track sequence without the four additional tracks. I’ll be honest, not sure why this album is included on this list. Obviously I’m not familiar with this type of music, nor know the language the lyrics are in. However, I’m not sure how much the lyrics would really do to improve the quality of the songs. While the musicianship is admirable, these all feel more like jam sessions that showcase the individual talents more than a cohesive unit. The songs don’t progress or deviate from their main motifs or structure. I wouldn’t have even known about this album if not for this exercise.

I appreciate that this project is exposing people to music like this that they otherwise might never hear. There is some wonderful African and especially West African music out there but this does not seem like one of the best albums the region has produced. It’s a guitar centred album but the guitar playing is decent at best. It’s not a great recording and the acoustic guitars (the main instruments) sound thin and brittle. There are almost no dynamics and the songs become monotonous after a while. I recommend folks check out another Senegalese guitarist called Habib Koité instead and I hope one of his albums shows up on this lists at some point. 2.5 / 5.

Heard just part of it. Not my thing.

Nice mellow album but not something Im in a hurry to listen to again.

Well paced, although occasionally strays into repetitiveness. I appreciate the inclusion of some Senegalese music into the list, but it does raise the question of why there's only a dozen or so albums from an entire continent, especially a continent that's produced some of the best music in a hundred years and influenced Western music so massively.

Very chill, very well-made, very good vibes, very nonchalant listen. But I don’t know if there will ever be a time where I’d revisit this record. Like, I can’t imagine a situation where I’d say, “Oh, this would be a perfect time to play Djam Leelii.” Clearly Baaba and Seck are good musicians, and this is very easy to listen to, but there’s nothing here that grabs my ear. Maybe I’m missing some cultural context – and I think that’s a huge problem I’m finding with the non-English language albums on this list – but I also don’t find this soft, ethereal style of folk music entertaining, even when I’m talking about Western musicians, so maybe that’s the issue. Still, I’m totally okay with Djam Leelii, just not left obsessed.

Exotic and relaxing 3.7

This album was awesome vibes. Loved the grooves

Cool rock! Definitely gets points for being in another language!

Nice!

Awesome Melodic sound

This was brutal to listen to not knowing the language that they were speaking in combined with the instrumentals that were just the same chord progression over and over again. It all felt like psychosis to my western music adjusted brain

Surprisingly good

Nice. Relaxing.

Put me to sleep with the beats!

Obviously, lyrically I can't comment. Musically, I enjoy African music now and then, but I don't know enough, or experience enough, to know if this is a good representation or not. To my ears, it sounds roughly the same as most other African music I've come across. I think rating this is a bit dishonest, as I don't have the nuance to really have a strong opinion of any aspect of the work. I would be curious to hear music in this style, or even fusion genres, with lyrics in English or French, so I could engage deeper. Even so, to me, it was a bit repetitive, and a bit long. More broadly, I think the current pop space is a bit stagnant, and the introduction of broader influences would help (taking the most boring aspects of country and rap DO NOT count). I'm pretty neutral on MIA overall, but I appreciate the fusion with non-Western/First World/Developed World/Anglosphere/other euphemism for rich genres. I hope we get more artists like experiment in that way.

Something completely new for me having never heard this before. Although it's not my normal Kind Of music I enjoyed it though it did get slightly repetitive at times. Will I listen to it again yes i think I probably would but not on a regular basis.

This generator is so bizarre. I get two albums by this guy in a week. That being said, Lam Toro was much more inventive with the blending of beats. This is a much more straight forward world album.

Not my jam, but interesting African music

As far as world music goes, this feels the most genuine that I have heard here. There's been some western style music performed by Afridan artists, but this is very unique. A lot of repetative drumming or chanting, it's not necessarily the most inspiring music for me personally, but I do appreciate getting to hear some music that was truely new to me.

Finally something I would've never heard otherwise instead of fucking U2 and Aerosmith. I don't think I'd ever heard music from Senegal until now. This was kind of psychedelic, kind of blues-y, kind of... new age-y? I won't come back to it probably, but I'm glad I got to experience it. It is kind of long and droning and I just can't stand when any record is over an hour long, but I enjoyed the ride nonetheless. I really liked the track "Djam Leelii" especially.

Hot Garbage

"Djam Leelii" is the first collaborative studio album by Senegalese musicians Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck. The album received wide-spread critical acclaim. Maal and Beck both play acoustic guitar and sing the vocals. The other musicians on the album included Aziz Dieng (electric guitar), Mama Kouyate (Kora (harp-lute)), Jumbo Kouyate (Balaton (idiophone)) and Papa Dieye (percussion). "Lam Tooro" opens the album. Acoustic guitars and simultaneous melodies. Strong tenor voices. "Salminanam" adds a percussion including what sounds like congas and some sort of shakers. Electric guitar too. It's a happy song and a good one. A single acoustic guitar going up and down the scales begins "Bibbe Leyday." A balafon comes in. Passionate singing and song. "Kettodee" features Maal and Seck chanting. Not all songs are happy: a more subdued musical tone and emotionally serious vocals highlight "Ko Wone Mayo" and "Daande Lenol." Maal and Seck have tremendous tenor voices. Layered vocals, melodies and rhythms. Various percussion instruments are used. Most of the songs have a happy and soothing feeling. The album does end with some more serious songs. You do not need know the language when the vocals and music change the tone. This is a really good album that most people would enjoy without ever previously hearing Senegalese music.

Really nice melodies and rhythms, still find Baaba’s voice a little grating at times but when it all works it’s lovely.

28/09/24 Not my kind of thing.

I love this list for introducing me to albums like this, that there is no way I would have come across on my own. The music creates an ethereal atmosphere which I really like. However every song is a bit too long and repetitive. I feel this album would have benefited greatly by being trimmed down a little, it really doesn't need to be over a hour long. I might get more out of it if I understood the lyrics, I'm not sure.

That was nice. Was it the most necessary album listen I've ever done? No, but it certainly wasn't the least necessary. I mean, at least this album has a Wikipedia article! Anyways, this album's pretty solid. I enjoyed it. The sound is nice. It's a bit different than what I was expecting from an album originating in Senegal. I guess I've just never really been exposed to Senegalese music before. I've gotta say, this album makes a strong first impression. The singing is good too. I don't know what they're saying, but that's not a problem with this album, it's just a language barrier. Remember, it's not okay to give an album a low score just because the singing is in a language different to the one you speak. It's a pretty respectable length if you only listen to the 8 songs that were originally included. Later versions of this album have 12 songs on them and I didn't really feel like listening to that much. Maybe I should have, or maybe not. This album's pretty good. It's not my favorite, but I can absolutely see the value in something like this. High 3/5.

For me, it takes a pretty special record to still be connecting with it despite a language barrier. Over an hour of paced, cyclical African folk jams hasn't done it for me.

I much prefer the best of world music than more US college rock or british indie, bit this one didnt really take off for me. Interesting yes, something that engaged me, no

Ever wondered what the bigotry of soft expectations sounds like? Here you are. It isn't bad per se, just an indifferent collection of songs, indistinguishable from much (not all) of the bunk from the Sahel labelled "World Music" (Yes, it is just a name. But like "Classical Music", a lot of presumptions coagulate behind the cognomen.)

It was different anyway

Nice for a change! However, in my ignorance, and not understanding the language sung in, it did get a bit too repetitive for me, and it was very long.

Actually beautiful

nice stuff

This has got one and done written all over it.

I appreciate the fresh genre. This album was as 3-star (2.5 if we could do halves) as you can get, for me personally. Pretty basic production and all the songs sound similar, but I didn't dislike what I was hearing. I'd definitely have to have this playing as background music. I couldn't just sit down and listen to this without doing anything else.

As far as obscure African albums go, this one is probably fine. No idea how to write something like this. I have no concept of how to compare it to others in the same genre. So I'm going to rate based off how much I liked it. Glad I listened while doing chores because listening to this while driving would have been a much work experience.

i normally love this kind of stuff but maybe i need to listen to this more, it didn’t immediately grab me

Uniek, vaak best wel goed, maar ook veel van hetzelfde en te lang.

I really enjoyed it. My only caveat is that his voice is a bit too nasally for me which became a tad grating. But it’s a beautiful album. 4

I mean. I can tell that it's good music. And I'm genuinely glad to say that I tried it out. But it's just not for me. Too long, also.

I liked the sound but it did seem to be repetitive.

This is nice put-your-head-down-and-write-this-report music. 2

I appreciate when albums outside the US/UK pop and rock scenes come up here. Djam Leelii sets a nice atmosphere for the most part. It does run longer than I'd like, with many individual tracks running 6+ minutes and noticeably overstaying. Plus the 4 tracks added in the 1998 reissue add more than 20 minutes to the overall album length.

Wow. The production on this is just gorgeous - thick, layered, hypnotic. This is the kind of record I frequent this website for. No favourite tracks, nor am I likely to listen to this on the daily, but man is it great.

Musically it’s “fine” nothing special at all, but not offensive. But the vocals made it an unenjoyable listen.

I don't speak Pulaar so I didn't fully appreciate the storytelling of migration, love, cultural heritage... but I do appreciate the style.

Nice background tunes. Wish the vocals were a little different.

I leelii enjoyed djaming out to this.

Albumi #42, 08.09.2024 Pariisissa jo vuonna 1984 nauhoitettu kahden senegalilaismuusikon albumi on mielenkiintoinen yhdistelmä senegalilaista perinnemusiikkia ja länsimaista folkia. Vuonna 1989 kansainvälisesti julkaistulle lähes täysin akustiselle levylle vahvimman sävyn antaa teräskielisen akustisen kitaran hieno soundi yhdistettynä afrikkalaistyylisiin perkussioihin. Sähkökitara kuuluu levyllä vain täydentävänä elementtinä. Pulaarin kielellä lauletut kappaleet käsittelevät tiettävästi pääosin pakolaisuutta. Maailman musiikin parhaimmistoa. Kannattaa painaa mieleen.

I like the base of it, but it gets a bit too repetitive. 2.5/5

Необычная музыка. С одной стороны, это африканская музыка, но есть французско-арабское влияние, которое проявляется в игре на гитаре. В целом, африканское звучание + гитара даёт очень необычный эффект. Стоящий альбом для прослушивания.

I'm glad the project introduces me to albums like this. I wish it was shortened by a few tracks though.

Första låten funkar. Sen blir det tradigt.

Soothing music, but I don't love the vocals

Beautiful, atmospheric music with a soul. Not sure how much I would make it part of my regular listening, but I'm glad I was exposed to it. 3.5 stars

Me encantó escucharlo, salir de la rutina de escuchar rocksito gringo o britanico es rejuvenecedor, deberían argregar más música internacional a esta pinga 10/10.

Finalmente algo diferente de álbumes gringos o gringos europeos. 9/10

Very repetitive and long

I respect it and hear the melodies but lead vocals sound like 1990s Adam Sandler

Nice. I made it a habit to listen to those albums as they were originally released, so 8 songs here. Which were: nice. A lot of West(?) African music has this ~bounce to it - this shit grooves. "Salminanam" made me want to skip, but the rest was mesmerizing - stand out: Maacina Toora - and all in all much better and more interesting than the similar offering "Talking Timbuktu"(#30) (music from neighbouring Mali, but with 50% boring white man's Blues). Not sure if this is 5 star nice but I feel like offsetting the reviews of the troglodytes who can't process anything that isn't english-speaking pop/rock. I for one wanted to hear this.

I have no frame of reference for Senegalese music to know how much of a banger this is or not. I recently heard another Baaba Maal album on here, and it had more for my brain to catch on to. I'm sure, had I heard it as a teenager, this album would have been in popular rotation for me to fall asleep to.

Not sure when I’d listen to this

I never know how to rate these things that are beautiful but are also things I will never really go back to after this. I think 3 is the only thing that seems fair?

I think your enjoyment of this album will largely depend on the singing style, which is pretty singular when compared to most other albums on this list. I happened to find it fascinating and found myself surprised at how well it joined with the pristine guitar sound, resulting in an effect that's borderline psychedelic. A totally unique combination that's perfect for sinking into.

Sweet soothing Senegalese sounds.

Okay world music, not in the mood this time

fun for one listen

I tried with this, but i just hate his voice. Nasal bleating just isn’t pleasant to me. After maybe 2/3 I realised I didn’t have to subject myself to it and put Graceland on instead. I could maybe go 2 stars for the guitar guy, but fuck it, welcome to the 1 star club.

One of the better world music album, not idea what he’s singing about but the music and vocals just flow so well together I can enjoy the music with out knowing what it means,

I actually found this quite annoying. The songs were not interesting

This transported me

Dude is from Senegal. This shit is fantastic. Really interesting! Guitar work is fantastic, and there are some really cool tribal drum shit going on too. Favourite songs: Lam Tooro, Djam Leelii, Muudo Hormo, Salminanam, Sehilam Least favourite songs: Taara 4/5

Not something I find enjoyable.

A musical tale made in one year but reconfigured and extended in many more, Djam Leelii (known as The Adventures) underwent an adventure in and of itself. Despite of what it came out as in its formats, the music doesn't suffer for it, as Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck weave through and within each other over the course of this given hour. Of course, if attention isn't paid to the song titles, the music may sound indistinguishable from one another but it doesn't take away from how good it is. A nice primer from two of Africa's finest. Favorites: Lam Tooro, Loodo, Muudo Hormo, Djam Leelii, Bibbe Leydy, Ko Wone Mayo, Daande Lenol, Taara.

this album is like a brand new computer

This is a vibe. It took me a while to get used to the harmonics but once I’d gotten my ear around it, I found it an enjoyable listen. It’s albums like this that make me glad I did this challenge.

Artiste inconnu. Morceaux terriblement longs et répétitifs. Je ne suis pas allé au bout. =>1/5

In a nutshell: music to zone out to. It’s soothing, droning and simple. Not a bad thing. Struggled to find information on how the album was made and an English translation of the lyrics, which is a shame. I want to understand this album more. That said, I’m basing this rating on the music composition and the vibe. Overall: 3/10

The kind of music my older brother would put on and when everyone complained to him he would go “I never complain about your music!!”

I dig it

Surprising and hypnotic

It was okay, but not something I’d return to.

This was pleasant, something a little lighter and more energetic after some heavier albums. Nothing I would revisit personally, though. I would have given it a 3 had it not been a bit too repetitive and lengthy - but it's very close.

Interesting listen

Good change of pace here. Feels tokenistic to slip in a few random 'world' music artists but I enjoyed this.

Inaguantable, pude escuchar 2 temas

It was interesting to listen to, and really foreign to me too. But I can't really say I liked it or that I'd listen to it again

It was okay, something different from what I usually listen to.

I liked it better than his other entry but not by a lot.

I mean, it's cool. Probably not going to give it a second listen.

This was interesting album, I can't tell if I like it or appreciate it. Structurally it reminded me of what I consider to be traditional Irish folk songs, by this I mean rhythm and structure. The intonations are very different.

really like this. No idea what they are singing about but lovely sounds

I'm with Christgau: it's exotic background music.

This was alright

This was alright for background music, but the wood percussion got to be pretty grating after awhile.

appreciate the rhythms and guitar but didn't really enjoy listening to it. didn't like the vocals and after each song is set up (this is the rhythm) it doesn't really change

If the aim of 1001 albums to listen to before you die is to enrich you with essential, varied, and fulfilling experiences you may not be guaranteed to come across in your life then mission accomplished. Never would have found this myself, and I've come away having gained something in an appreciation of Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck's fantastic music.

Ambient and catchy Senegalese music.

It's actually kind of hypnotic, in a good way, The simplicity of the guitars with their vocals floating over the top is enjoyable to listen to, but it does really start to drag on a bit. I think in a solid 40 minutes chunk this would be great.

Not super into this. Some tracks were okay for background music, but wouldn't listen to it again. Not to my taste, but not awful.

Loved this. It was unique (to me), full of heart, passion, and soul.

A very hard one to rate. Overall the music was very good. Sometimes the singing fit it. Other times, the music was interrupted by the sounds of a whale in heat. Split the difference I guess.

1/10, чзх

This has some really great moments. Lush compositions that are too often pushed back in favour of some busy guitar. I enjoyed it. 7/10 nice to see something that isn't on every list ever made

Of all the albums out of my comfort zone I've listened to in the last few months, this was the furthest but also the most rewarding. Obviously as a white, American man this collaboration between 2 Western African artists was not made for me and I was not able to understand what exactly they were singing about. However, as a huge fan of the actual music being performed there were dynamic rhythms and a wide array of instruments used that kept my attention throughout this album. And even though I wasn't able to understand the subject matter of the songs, the musical stylings coupled with the heart and emotion of the vocals did portray the feelings being felt in a universal way. Another great thing about this record is that even though it was made in 1989, I feel it could be made in almost any decade and not feel out of place, a sign of true artistry. This may have been one of the most gratifying listens I've had to an album to date because if not for this experience, I would have no idea to go out of my way to listen to artists like this. Definitely makes me want to broaden my horizons beyond even the English-speaking world in terms of music - as corny as it sounds, the universal language (gtfo math). Notable Tracks: - Lam Tooro - Loodo - Salminanam - Djam Leelii - Kettodee 8/10

Too long

Oh I really wanted to like this but just couldn't get on with it...

I was ready to dismiss this out of hand but glad I didn't It's like African acoustic Folk. Really melodic and pleasant. I guess that may sound like torture if you're into Death Metal or Janet Jackson but to me it's a pleasant suprise.

Never heard of this artist. I'll check it out. I truly respect these kinds of artist and their style of music they've created and delivered to us. Just not my style and need to be in the mood to be listening to this. sitting at work doesn't help.

Too repetitive

good senegal music

Relaxing stuff

Serene

African innocence

Afrikanische Rhythmen mit soliden Gitarren und Schlagzeugelementen. Leider sind die starken ethnischen Einflüsse schwierig und führen zu einem schwachen Gesamteindruck. Hierdurch verliert sich das Konzept des Albums. Gute Einzelsongs haben sich auch nicht aufgetan.

The melodies and chord structures of sound surprisingly western but with the vocals layered on top, it’s another sound entirely. I don’t know what the stringed instrument is with the tone of a guitar mixed with a sitar, but it’s nice. The drone gives some songs a trance-like feel at times. The upbeat songs appeal more to me than the trancy ones. And the bluesy ones are my favorite. 3.5

It's pretty good -- sort of chill, relaxed, nearly trance inducing at times. Love that African guitar tone. Still, not something I need to hear before I die. 3.4

good ass world music man 4/5

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. That desert psych rock guitar really gets me but a lot of the discordant vocal were a bit off putting. In general, enjoyed more than not.

Nice. And far better than the later, commercial-pop-oriented Baaba Maal album selected by Dimery and co. for their book. *Djam Leelii* displays many mesmerizing, atmospheric soundscapes, with all sorts of interesting harmonies in the background, courtesy of the magnificent interplay between guitars (both acoustic and electric), kora and balafon. Baaba's voice often soars like a frail yet noble bird over that lush instrumentation. This music--simple yet rich with layers, dreamy yet also grounded to earth somehow--sounds both timeless and modern. It's repetitive like a lot of traditional African music can be, yet if you pay attention, you soon realize it's filled with a lot of variations, and even sudden unexpected departures towards the end of a few pieces. The original album only has eight tracks (the bulk of the four extra ones are badly recorded, and should therefore be considered as outtakes). It's not a long list of songs, but many stellar highlights are gracing it: opener "Lam Tooroo", conveying such a mystical aura that you could mistake the tune for a Dead Can Dance cut ; quiet and soothing "Muudo Hormo", slowly but surely building up to a somewhat livelier conclusion ; the extraordinary "Maacina Tooro", whose guitar flourishes, moody handclappings and memorable vocal melody will haunt you long after the track ends on that breathtaking coda ; or the title-track "Djam Leelil", whose obvious blues inflexions link African and African-American traditions into a single, seamless whole--evidence enough of the sort of connections historical tragedies of the past didn't manage to sever after centuries. "Adventurers" of music indeed. I have expressed this before, I often feel like full-length recordings from continents other than Europe and North America should have retrospective books of their own--not to unfairly separate them from the "Western Canon", but to give a chance to all the musical traditions of the world to be fairly represented. But when I listen to the standout tracks from this record, I just want to let go of that obsessive-compulsive urge to rate and classify, and simply enjoy good music for what it is. Maybe I've used this app for too long. Time to adopt a new mindset, maybe? In the meantime, here's a provisory "classification" for this one: Number of albums left to review: 156 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 364 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 214 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 270

very interesting and some really cool instrumentation here

Very interesting style this is what makes this list interesting

nic e

I'm sorry, I just couldn't get into it. Vocals too grating, songs too repetitive, album too long.

I am sure this is considered to be very masterful music but it just ain’t my jam.

I think the most valuable thing this journey through this list has provided me is experiences. I’ve heard 300 albums at this point. Loved many. And really disliked many as well. But aside from a few, I can’t deny the experiences this has given me. That to me is far more valuable than much of the music itself. And it’s why I urge people to try this themselves. Because the way it has opened my eyes to so much unique art is wonderful. Before this, it was difficult for me to even name albums I didn’t like, because I wasn’t going out of my way to hear them. That is definitely not the case anymore. And such can be applied to this record as well. Because without this, I would never be able to say that I’ve had an experience with traditional Senegalese music. That’s something not many people can claim to be familiar with. And whether this is your thing or not, hearing something that is probably very foreign to the average person’s ears is special in its own right. And this album does do things well that I like. It’s composed of very lush and beautiful arrangements, with plucky electric guitars and choir-esque vocals. I was actually surprised by the amount of electric guitars in this, but this is also considerably more modern compared to the rest of the world music I’ve heard. Unfortunately, for me world music is never something I’m compelled to hear by itself. It sounds better when backing up or being accompanied by something else. So while I see the purpose this has on the list, I didn’t totally love it. Rating: 5/10

Not exactly what I would have chosen to listen to on my own. But not bad.

One long African jam session. That’s fine if it’s your thing, but it’s not mine.

First time hearing this. Glad I was exposed to it but in the end, it doesn't do it for me. Might be the cultural difference and my Canadian ears aren't used to African folk sounds but I couldn't vibe with it.

Excellent guitar playing but it's way too long

Talvez eu inclua esse som dentro de rock psicodélico simplesmente por falta de conhecimento de outro gênero ou músicos similares. Frases de guitarra simples e hipnotizantes, batuques com todos os tipos de instrumentos rítmicos, acompanhadas de um vocal entoado (que me pareceram mantras em algumas músicas) trazem algo de novo e refrescante pra essa lista, e que definitivamente tornam meu repertório mais rico

I liked it. I know nothing about this kind of music, and I can’t say I’ll be seeking it out to listen to, but it was fun and pleasing.

Really enjoyable. After a bit I really started to get the feel of being out in a relaxing field. Rating: 3.7

Question: why do so many people not bother to check the album's actual running time? Just doing the full Ron Burgundy and assuming if Spotify has it then it's part of the actual record. Anyway, to this. Really didn't enjoy Lam Toro, a 90s record supposedly aimed at a white audience, a few months back. This is a different kettle of fish, far simpler production and less pissing about. Just play your shit man, it's good. Noodles along nicely in the background. Not outstanding, I do find myself drawn to Ali Farka Toure and the desert jazz crew who have followed in his wake to this. Absolutely decent though. Muudo Hormo is good. Maacina Tooro. Djam Leelii

A bit different but long and uninteresting

Loved this. Never heard Senegalese music before but will definitely listen again.

Really enjoyed it. Way outside my normal listening and will listen again.

Ok, hard to rate an album like this. On one hand, it's really long and really repetitive. But on the other hand, it's pleasant enough and I'm clearly not accustomed to listening to things like this. So, how do I rate it? Here's a 3 and we can move on.

Beautiful. Only losing a star as it started to feel a bit samey over the full length.

It's perfectly OK noodling, but it's very repetitive, and very, very long. It wore out it's welcome after about 30 minutes in, which is not even half way through. It's not bad as such, just uninteresting and absolutely never going to cross my mind again.

I absolutely appreciate the sound and feel of this whole album. A quote for Baaba Maal sums up my listening experience pretty well, although with a very Western experience I bet I’m missing a ton when I listen with my own ears…maybe not in some ways? “The spirit of the kora and the ngoni are different from the talking drum and the balafon, or the sabar and the djembe. The kora and ngoni are closer to human beings, because they are made from things that had life. The talking drum, the balafon, and the sabar are made from wood, and when you listen to them your mind goes out into the forest. When you make music and write songs, you have to know about the messages. From the messages, you know what the instruments are and how to put them together underneath the lyrics."

I couldn't shake the lens of 'listenability' -- this felt like a coffee or beer that I can appreciate and respect but I'm not going to order it.

Bastante rollo. Pero me ha gustado una canción, Kettodee. Así que se libra del 1.

This great, even if a bit too long

Nice background music for working in Photoshop, but ... way too long. wore out its welcome after the album's titular song.

Lame

Feels like I'm in some tribe. It's been a long day of hunting and exploring the unknown grounds, the fire is burning strong, a goat has been captured for dinner and the evening sun is shining. Life is good. 3.5

Haven’t listened to this before. Won’t listen to it again. But glad I did this time. Just not for me.

Finally something different, after 2 weeks of stuff I pretty much already owned, we get into something that I wouldn't normally stumbleupon. This was so relaxing, just a peaceful vibe. Stuff like this is why I signed up for this

Interesting but hard to connect to. The sparse instrumentals don't really give me a ton to latch onto especially when I can't understand the lyrics.

Type of stuff I’m here for - never heard of this before and really liked it.

Really good album.

Fantastic. Great to just throw on and vibe. I only wish I could speak Pulaar so I could appreciate that gawlo storytelling.

Relaxed African music with beautiful and catchy rhythms.

NIN Ghosts I-IV, call to prayer edition

Just an absolute pleasure to listen to. The tones the textures. The way he can convey a feeling in a song despite not knowing the meaning behind the lyrics… just gorgeous gorgeous music and this is exactly the kind of thing I want to be shown more of on this list.

Despite the language barrier, this is definitely a vibe.

Unusual and actually pretty enjoyable. Wouldn’t play it on rotation but interesting enough to warrant a full listen

It’s always interesting when you get handed something that’s well outside your usual musical sphere however the album feels overly long - probably because by the end of the second track it becomes very similar sounding (to my ears at least). Glad to have listened to it but it’s not for me.

I didn't know I'd be a fan of West African music until I discovered it on my journey through this list. Like the others I've listened too, I didn't understood a word but enjoyed every minute.

I don’t mind this one, definitely interesting, although it does tent to feel a bit repetitive as far as rhythms and style. I probably would get more out of ut if it weren’t for the language barrier.

Similar to the Songhoy Blues album, but I didn't really enjoy this one as much.

This is a fine album. It was good background music while working. I probably won’t be circling back to this anytime soon but a pleasant listen.

pleased with something different on this list. i was slightly falling asleep for it but the vocal stye reminded me of indian classical singing which was nostalgic. i loved the xylophones and instrumental arrangements overall.

Quite underwhelming, but I guess this roll of Senegalese music is too un-rockified for my expectations.

я уснул. Это может быть и хорошо и плохо алкоальбом: ну вот точно последний виски кола

Как и большинство народной-фолк-ворлд музыки - репетативная, мантровая, долгая. Это изливание души, для нас, белых людей, от них, чёрных людей. Мы их не понимаем до конца. Настолько, что альбом и не хотели выпускать изначально. А потом выпустили - и оказалось, что это круто, исторично, с памятью. Потом уже у Баабы Мала была "международная" карьера, сотрудничества с Брайаном Ино и Mumford & Sons. Но сейчас это опять что-то на уровне этнографии, может быть, этнофутуристики.

Surprised this is in the generator, really good. Had some saved from this already actually

Something new - Senegalese folk music. There’s a beauty and calmness here…the musicians move at their own pace and play things as long as they’d like. There are some wonderful guitar lines that again have a soothing calmness to it. Interesting listen, but also somewhat repetitive and a little overlong - making it an enjoyable album but not a top rated one for me.

Enjoyed it! Not my style of music but I can appreciate it🩷

I didnt like the vocals, music was ok.

Today’s album is another that I’d never come across before. I had a drive into the office today so had music playing for the drive, and I found this to be really calming. I had the thought that it would likely be excellent with headphones, sat upright on a cushion and eyes closed. I like this album.

Enjoyable songs, I think I would actually revisit this if I was feeling the vibe. Low 3.

Did not enjoy the vocal style of this

Bouncy and exuberant was a nice background listen to clean to, no idea what it said just vibes lol

I dug the meditative mood on a lot of these tracks. I always appreciate some bird noises as well. The guitar work is awesome throughout the album, but the singer's voice gets pretty exhausting pretty quick, especially for such a long album.

Albums like these remind me of the main purpose of this app/book. It's music people should experience to expand their world view since music is a huge part of most cultures. It's not necessarily about sharing popular music. I enjoyed this album with that in mind, it's a window into another part of the world. I found myself trying to kind of figure out the language, it seems like double vowels are used for long sounds vs single vowels for short. In English we kind of just guess with some rules. It also seems like he just adds syllables in between words to make them flow better. Thinking about these things separate from the actual music is not integral to ratings but I think it's what this book is trying to do. 7/10

This album sounded like a warm spring day :). I wish have stars were a thing bc this would’ve gotten a 3.5

Not my style, doesn't mean it's bad but just really couldn't get into it.

As our second album from West Africa featuring guitar centric music, I prefer the other one to this, but can still appreciate it on some level. Fav Songs: Djam Leelii Ko Wone Mayo

"Djam Leelii" is a collaborative album by Senegalese musicians Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, released in 1989. Spanning a fusion of traditional Senegalese music with modern elements, the album stands as a significant piece in the world music landscape. Let's delve into its various aspects, assessing its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, as well as outlining its pros and cons. ### Lyrics: The lyrics in "Djam Leelii" are primarily sung in the Pulaar language, reflecting the cultural roots of both artists. The themes explored in the lyrics range from love and longing to societal issues and cultural pride. The poetic nature of the lyrics adds depth to the music, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the rich storytelling tradition of West Africa. ### Music: The music in "Djam Leelii" is a mesmerizing blend of traditional Senegalese sounds with contemporary influences. Baaba Maal's soaring vocals intertwine with Mansour Seck's masterful guitar work, creating a tapestry of sound that is both vibrant and soul-stirring. The use of traditional instruments such as the hoddu (a traditional guitar-like instrument) alongside modern production techniques gives the music a timeless quality. ### Production: The production quality of "Djam Leelii" is top-notch, thanks to the collaboration between Baaba Maal, Mansour Seck, and the talented team of producers involved in the project. The album strikes a perfect balance between preserving the authenticity of traditional Senegalese music while infusing it with contemporary flair. The seamless integration of various musical elements showcases the skillful craftsmanship of both artists and producers alike. ### Themes: "Djam Leelii" explores a myriad of themes, including love, spirituality, and the socio-political landscape of Senegal. Through their music, Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck shed light on the beauty and complexity of Senegalese culture, celebrating its rich heritage while also addressing pressing issues facing their society. The album serves as a cultural artifact, offering listeners a glimpse into the heart and soul of West Africa. ### Influence: "Djam Leelii" has had a significant influence on the world music scene, inspiring countless artists and musicians across the globe. Its unique fusion of traditional Senegalese music with modern sensibilities has paved the way for a new generation of musicians seeking to explore and celebrate their cultural roots. Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck's collaboration remains a landmark achievement in the realm of world music, continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide. ### Pros: 1. Authentic representation of Senegalese music and culture. 2. Masterful musicianship displayed by Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck. 3. Seamless fusion of traditional and modern musical elements. 4. Poetic lyricism that explores a wide range of themes. 5. High-quality production that enhances the listening experience. 6. Lasting influence on the world music landscape. ### Cons: 1. Limited accessibility for those unfamiliar with West African music. 2. Some listeners may find the language barrier challenging. 3. Certain tracks may feel repetitive to listeners not accustomed to the genre. 4. The album's runtime may be considered too short by some listeners. In conclusion, "Djam Leelii" stands as a masterpiece of world music, showcasing the talents of Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck while offering listeners a captivating journey through the sounds and stories of Senegal. With its poetic lyricism, infectious rhythms, and timeless appeal, the album continues to captivate audiences and inspire musicians around the world.

4.5

Unter der Rubrik Weltmusik sicherlich hörenswert, ist nicht meine Musik

Took a few tracks to get into it. But once i was in I found a real appreciation for this album! 3.3

A very long project. The instrumentals were mostly interesting, but at times they were repetitive. The vocals were good, but unfortunately I couldn't understand a word of it.

Nice, chill album. Maybe runs a bit too long, but the twinkly guitar and kora were hypnotic

cool

No. Just no

Eh

I went through a range of emotions in this. Initially intrigued.. the guitar playing is relaxing. Then bored because the songs all seem to blend together. Finally irritated because the vocals are annoying, and it's a very long album. If an album is irritating by the end then it's probably gotta be 1*

Love the loopy background guitar in Loodo. Djam Leelii is a really awesome, spacious jam. Wide open atmosphere, but the vocal layering gave me shivers at the 3 minute mark, and the guitars have such nice texture to them. The weird thing is that I have certainly heard Daande Lenol somewhere before; I think probably in a Nicolas Jaar DJ mix. Loved it in the original context and am loving it even more now. This is an album for which I don't have too many specific words. But I absolutely loved it start to finish. I was hesitant at first, but the production is so beautiful throughout and I found several of the songs to be transformative in quality. In particular, Daande Lenol is a standout to me. I love how the plucked guitar interleaves with the bell rhythms in a spaced out atmosphere. This was quite different from where I usually spend my time, and I'm glad for the experience. I'll listen again in the morning, but right now it sits at a high 4 for me.

Broke this up into two listens. Interesting album, so many sounds. None of which are English. The song that the album is named after seems to be the most well produced song in my opinion. Overall not a terrible album to listen to but not sure I'll revisit it. 2.5 stars for me.

A pleasant sounding, but repetitive album. The guitar players aren't the most precise players by any means, but they had plenty of good riffs throughout the album. This has to be my favorite Senegalese album of all time.

Some sweet spiriual sounding music with a little nice guitar sprinkled in. This was exactly the type of album that I wanted to start my day off, very calming and refreshing. Would do Ayuhuasca and listen to this album again.

I've had this on in the background while working and it's pleasant enough. Not sure if I needed over an hour of the yelling but the instrumentals were great. I especially liked the percussion on some of the songs towards the end. Middling 3.

Another world music album. Long songs, fine for the experience.

What the fuck is this?! This was a little treat. I sometimes find myself enjoying instrumental works or music with lyrics that aren't the focus either because they are washed out or in this case a foreign language. I would love to know the translated lyrics to this album and I briefly tried to find them before I gave up, but sometimes the mood the music evokes is worth not knowing. I loved all the instrumentation on this album. I see it was recorded in 1984 but it wasn't released until 1989. I wonder why it took 5 years to release? The music sounds both very old and very modern at the same time. The fusion of the modern guitar combined with Baaba Maal's singing which sounds very Arabian is very soothing and interesting (not sure what language most of this is... I thought I may have heard some French but it may be a mixture?). Without being able to focus on the meaning of the lyrics, this is a very meditative album. It also displays a wide range of moods, sometimes happy, sometimes not so happy, sometimes upbeat, sometimes droning (in the best way). Repetition plays a large role in this album and I am not mad about it. That is what gives it its meditative quality. Some songs sound like the same string is being plucked over and over and over on the guitar but for some reason it isn't annoying. I did find myself starting to lose interest in the later songs because it is a decently long album, but I think had I started this album in the middle I would have enjoyed them as much as the first songs. It's just not easy to digest in one sitting. Generally though I liked every song and would love to hear them again.

Au début j'ai aimé mais après je m'en suis lassée

Fun afro pop

Excellent guitar work, but the chanting definitely became a bit much after a while. The first 8 songs that were on the original album were the best. Enjoyed the African vibes throughout.

I have never heard this before and I truly enjoyed it. The artist has a very interesting story as does the history of music in Senegal.

2.5

This one is not for me. I actually like the sound, and almost all of the tracks, but why in the world are they so long? Nothing evolves... The sound at the start of a track will be the sound at the end of the track.