Immigrés
Youssou N'Dour
1984
Album Summary
Immigrés is an album by Senegalese singer and percussionist Youssou N'Dour. AllMusic remarks that the album is "a good part of what put [N'Dour] on the international map".
WikipediaNot the type of music i would usually listen, but i loved it. The production is really good, all the drums sound fantastic and the vocals are wonderful.
“Immigrés” by Youssou N’Dour (1988) Gipsy Kings, meet Bob Marley. The West African country Senegal is the grand exception to the dictum “The worst thing you can be is a former French colony”. And Senegal is perhaps is the world’s best hope for an exemplary and peaceable Mohammedan nation. Out of Senegal comes N’Dour (one of Paul Simon’s collaborators on his album “Graceland” [1986–percussion on “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”]—Simon may have “appropriated” African musicians, but it sure didn’t hurt their subsequent careers). N’Dour is an able vocalist who has assembled a sizable team of performers in this rhythmic treat. This is your horizon-expanding opportunity to enlarge the musical palate. The lyrics to the opening song “Immigrés” playfully give sage advice to those who are contesting a disputed election: Have a cookie and get over it. I laughed out loud. However, I was unable find any other lyrics online (too bad—they are in Wolof, I believe, and are essential for seriously assessing this work), but the real substance of this album is the colorful and exciting instrumental work, especially percussion. The four tracks are multidimensional, well-composed, evocative, and extended. Sorry, I had to give up on “Taaw”—I could never find the groove. Play this as background music while you work, and you’ll not only be efficient, but you’ll also be eager to wrap your arms around a world of music. Who could ask for more on a Monday morning? 3/5
The sound of being at a late-night backyard party illuminated by string lights on a hot summer night with a glass bottle in your hand. Really fun, and has no bloat at all.
This album is awesome. The songs were long but never got boring. Consistently fun throughout.
Very pleasant listen. As with much African music, I can't quite put my finger on what I do and don't like.
Fun rhythms, fun melodies and instrumentals. This is such interesting, moving music!
Great experience getting some exposure to Senegal, but I still find it absurd to randomly throw in world content into a list of popular genres.
Not something I would usually listen to, but pretty good. Good musicianship.
Really interesting to hear Senegalese music. Throughly enjoyed it to begin with but couldn't listen for too long
This is straight up Senegalese music. Lots of percussion/African band sound. 4/10.
2.5 | No me terminó de convencer. Aprecio que esté bien hecho y que su calidad de compositor y mezcla con ritmos es correcta. De hecho hasta humor tenía para algo tipo Afro Beat, pero no me terminó de cuajar. Si lo comparo con algo como Fela Kuti siento que al menos en este disco Fela gana de calle facilmente. Quizá es la instrumentación, se termina escuchando con las partes electrónicas medio... apagadas? No estoy seguro pero simplemente fue un disco que vino, se fue y no encendió mucho en mí, aunque se escucha tecnicamente correcto. Para ser tantos ritmos africanos algo le falta de caracter.
Joyous. I saw him on Peter Gabriel’s “So”tour in 1986. Became a huge fan. This is a great album!
Oh, this is wonderful. Joyful, richly arranged, musically gorgeous songs. Youssou N'Dour has really found the sweet spot where traditional Senegalese sounds blend perfectly with hints of Western pop, funk and jazz. The synths are actually pretty restrained and balanced for that era, so I don't know why anyone would single them out for criticism. Overall, this is really splendid. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Taaw, Badou, Immigrés/Bitim Rew, Pitche Mi
Wow, this viscerally takes me back to my childhood. Sub 10 - maybe 6 or 7? My very first media device of any description, that was mine rather than the family's, was a crystal radio kit. You pushed the components into a perforated cardboard circuit board, wired them up, connected a wire to a radiator to act as an antenna, and listened through a little ear piece that looked like an old fashioned hearing aid. It had no power source of its own, and seemed like magic to me! It was not capable of picking up too many radio stations, but one thing it reliably picked up quite strongly was a show playing world music that sounded a lot like this. Probably the first music that _I_ sought out for myself, rather than was just passively exposed to. Fave track - "Immigrés/Bitim Rew" I guess, but the whole album is lovely....
I was not familiar with this particular album, but I really love Youssou N'Dour, so this particular assignment came as a "heck yes!" for me. As mentioned in a prior review, it's a bit hard to rate albums that aren't in English because I can't compare songwriting when I don't understand the lyrics. But dang, I love the SOUND of this album. The drums are amazing, the layers of guitar and brass, the sound of the vocals. Just wonderful. Wikipedia tells me that this album was criticized for the use of synthesizers? I like the synth sounds! So there you go. Love it. 5/5
Loved it. I really want to go to Senegal in the meantime I'll listen to big Youssou.
went absolutely crazy on this one. excellent instrumentals, catchy riffs and infectious rhythms. excellent excellent work
Fun, party music. Whoever the drummer is on this, he is putting in WORK. Weirdly I feel like Maiden fans might enjoy "Pitche Me". Favorite track: "Pitche Me"
Very cool, interesting sounds and unique instrument combinations. Enjoyable.
Immigrés is an album by Senegalese singer and percussionist Youssou N'Dour. AllMusic remarks that the album is "a good part of what put [N'Dour] on the international map"
I feel like I should be able to mark 'listened' and 'enjoyed,' but also that I am wildly unqualified to put a rating on this, given how little I know about African music.
What a fun, chill, relaxing album. Spent the rest of the day listening to his other albums!
8/10. Pretty good, I see why I had to learn about this guy in French class
8/10 I really loved the beats and instrumentals on this, and it was a nice change of pace from Western music. However, I found it repetitive at times and sometimes the vocals sounded really nasal in a way that I didn't care for
Enjoyed this one. The reason I follow this list is to introduce me to great music I perhaps wouldn't normally come across, and this fits that bill perfectly
Really good. Hypnotic. I was worried as I didn't like his stuff that I knew.
really nice! While I've listened to perhaps more music from Africa than the average person this is new to me. Not sure I would purchase it but happy to have heard it.
Some great beats, perfect to have on in the background when you have a garden party.
This is great… another smashing African album I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to!
Honestly, not bad. I liked it way more than I thought I would. I just don't see myself revisiting it too often
Un disco increíblemente ecléctico, pero agradable de escuchar, especialmente la primera canción. Está interesante porque no se parece a nada que haya escuchado antes; la mezcla de tambores con metales y guitarra, con un ritmo que no se parece a nada que haya escuchado antes.
I was not expecting to like this one, but was surprised to find a really enjoyed it! Pitche Mi was a standout, so emotional.
This sounds less commercial than the YND stuff that he put out a few years later. The first song caught my attention about half way thru and the next two were quite enjoyable. I like the rambling percussion, the loose arrangements the guitar in Pitche MI. And of course the voice.
I can't put it in words but there's something about the singing style in Senegalese music that is quite soothing. He sings this way and is also able to hit notes in an expanded range. My favourite bits are songs with the traditional African guitar melodies as in Taaw. While this album has lovely percussion throughout, the album doesn't hit its potential since the production doesn't do justice. I need to use my imagination to think how amazing his singing on Pitche Mi must be live or with recording / producing capabilities from even 10 - 20 years later. I quite like Senegalese music and would have a 5 for music from that country but I feel like I'm rounding up here.
pretty groovy, I don’t think I’d want to listen to it more than once but for what it was it was pretty fun 7/10
Well shit, I'm gonna have to remember this one when I'm grilling, hammocking, or otherwise relaxing this summer. I don't know what the lyrics are about, but the music is really fun. I also like the length of this record. It's almost not an LP. Four tracks at a total of 34 minutes. That must barely make the cut. Anyway, these songs need to be longer (liket he 11+ minute "Taaw"). Because they sort of lure you into a groove. And, for me at least, I don't really ever want it to end. Also, I feel like there is a lot of mastering compression happening on this record, and sometimes it has a really cool effect of smooshing everything into a wall of sound that is only driver forward by the hand percussion. Loved it.
Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour. I had heard his backing vocals in a number of songs most notably "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. First time listening to his own music which is classified as mbalax, a mixture of traditional Sengalese and latin-styles and was huge in Africa. This album is four songs. All songs are dominated by his tenor voice and a slew of percussions. Mostly rhythm driven. The one exception is the second song "Pitche Mi" where you really hear the Latin and guitar influence. "Taaw" is the highlight with its rolling bass and heavy percussion. Paul Simon was most definitely listening to this for his album "Graceland." Overall, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this album and music.
Wow this is a great album. Jazzy, funky with amazing guitar and fantastic percussion. I loved it. 4.5 🌟
Overall, a solid album. I really enjoyed the funky beats and the general vibe. Though I have to admit the first half of the album is 4 stars for me and the second half is only 3 stars. But what can you do? It is definitely worth a listen. Giving this 4 stars because I like the vocals and I'm feeling generous today. Fave track: Title track.
It's 7 Seconds guy! Good vibes, not something I'd listen to every day.
This kind of unexpected album is one of the most exciting things about this list. It's far from my favorite music genre, but it's far because of my lack of knowledge of how big the world is. I hope to keep this project for the following years, and I wish to receive more classical but even more of these different and culturally challenging albuns. Good music, great experience. (Unfortunately, the Wikipedia page for the album is too short, but the Youssou N'Dour page helps with it)
A pleasant surprise. Never dabbled into this genre before, but the music is incredible. At some points often a bit bloated, but full of talent and ambition. Favourite Tracks: - Pitche Mi - Taaw - Badou Overall Rating: 4/5
Intense and dynamic. Dancers probably find it danceable. One's not qualified to say much more than it sounds cool and substantive and lord knows we've all heard much worse world music and if this made him a global star, it must be good, right?
Enjoyed this album. Nice chill background music. Relaxing percussion and vocals.
This felt like one cohesive piece rather than 4 individual tracks. I rather much enjoyed the whole thing.
I love being exposed to music from cultures from around the world. This is a fantastic example of something I never would have known existed or had sought out on my own without this project's help. Awesome stuff!
A brief, breezy and energetic album from one of Africa's finest musicians of the late 20th Century, packed to the brim with a neverending barrage of synths fusing with Afrobeat. It doesn't overstay its welcome and deserving of further attention. Favorites: Taaw, Immigrés.
This is a great, fun and interesting record. Only 4 quite long tracks, best song being Taaw. Glad I listened to this one.
Upea ääni ja hieno levy. Edelleen toivois että olis enemmän tämmösiä uusia tuttavuuksia listalla Metallican cover-keikkojen sijasta.
A gorgeous slice of west African folk/blues/afrobeat music. The tracks do become a bit background after the 20 minute mark, but the polarising synths mentioned in other reviews were too elusive for my ear. A real treat.
Очень мелодичный и красивый альбом, в котором фолк вмешивает в себя звуки из других жанров. Даже непонимание текстов не препятствует наслаждению, так как инструментал здесь выполнен очень интересно и оригинально. (8)
Very nice switch up. Easy listening yet complex in structure. Lovely vocals too. Fave track - Taaw