Immigrés

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.

Really good music. This is the type of s*** that I want when I started listening to a list of albums like this.

“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

Not 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.

Almost halfway through the list, and the "Other" origin is consistently rated higher than "UK" and "US". A bit surprising to me, but especially the picks from Africa have been excellent, and Immigrés from legend Youssou N'Dour is no exception. A perfect blend of percussion, bass and synth.

The African entries on this list are mostly top class. This album by the former Senegalese minister of tourism is no exception.

This album is awesome. The songs were long but never got boring. Consistently fun throughout.

I really like Mr N'Dour's hat.

THIS IS AWESOME

Decent world music, interesting to hear once but that's it

Awesome sound. I loved it; my cats loved it.

sacré bleu!

I quite like world music, so I enjoyed this one.

Fun rhythms, fun melodies and instrumentals. This is such interesting, moving music!

Very pleasant listen. As with much African music, I can't quite put my finger on what I do and don't like.

What an album for my last day 🥲 These kinds of albums make all of the dusty boring 60s ones worthwhile

It's difficult for someone my age to hear this without expecting Paul Simon to jump out from behind a door, but it's a lot of fun, and nice to imagine dancing in Senegal rather than clearing six inches of snow from the roof of the car.

It was a new experience for anyone who primarily listens to American or English music, and a good foot in the door.

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.

Brilliant, of course. 5 stars.

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

Joyous. I saw him on Peter Gabriel’s “So”tour in 1986. Became a huge fan. This is a great album!

Really liked this! Don't have much to say, it was groovy. 9

Music like this is why I do this project. Immigrés doesn't introduce me enough to N'Dour's catalog but sure motivates me to looking more into it. 3.5/5

Could use more Paul Simon.

Really interesting to hear Senegalese music. Throughly enjoyed it to begin with but couldn't listen for too long

Not something I would usually listen to, but pretty good. Good musicianship.

Im a fan of juju music and I am surprised that King Sunny Ade didn't make this list. However, this album certainly rivals his best work. Great record. Amazing voice and great instrumentation.

went absolutely crazy on this one. excellent instrumentals, catchy riffs and infectious rhythms. excellent excellent work

Big beautiful groove

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

Great world drumming album!

Fun, upbeat, different to what I would usually listen to. Honestly thoroughly enjoyed listening to this short album.

Awesome album

Loved it, magical stuff.

This is why I do the 1001 albums generator. If all the songs were as good as the first would’ve been 5/5 too.

Man, you see “1984” and “world music” and you’re instantly prepared for something with absolutely horrible, dated production. Well, I was wrong, and I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong. The songs aren’t flashy, but when they settle into a groove and just build upon that groove, expanding it outwards, it’s really enjoyable. I quite like this, a very pleasant surprise.

Very pleasant listening. Unfortunate that it was storming today as this should be listened to in the back yard at a barbecue.

You Sound Dour? But he doesn’t?

Not really sure how to rate this one, so I'll give it a three. Add a half-star because I'm pretty sure that Morrissey hates it. Take that, Moz!

No. 292/1001 Immigrès/Bitim Rew 3/5 Pitche Mi 3/5 Taaw 4/5 Badou 3/5 Average: 3,25 Not my absolute favorite, but this was a fun and interesting listen.

Nice change. Can feel the 80's in this one.

Instrumental is nice but the vocals are not my type.

Nice enough vibe but I don’t really enjoy his tone.

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.

This is straight up Senegalese music. Lots of percussion/African band sound. 4/10.

trust me, this is not an album you need to hear before you die.

Radio gazelle

Great vibes

Incroyable.

i absolutely love this. 5/5

This is exactly the type of stuff I'm looking for on this list. There is no way I would have ever found this on my own. Really enjoyed it.

Damn, this album is beautiful. I don't know anything about Senegalese music and therefore am ignorant on whether this is indicative of the sounds coming from the region, but if it is, I'm very interested in hearing more. Lots of tight, inventive grooves - numerous different grooves in one song, that in an abstract way almost felt like African prog. Youssou's voice is warm and playful, which I hope is respectful to what he's singing about (I did not look up lyric translations). I knew of him from his appearances on a few Peter Gabriel tracks, and his voice sounds even more self-assured and expressive on his own songs. A truly wonderful album to listen to. I can see myself putting this on in a lot of different circumstances. Great work.

exceptional african music

Great album by Youssou N'Dour. Love the syncopated drumming, and the instruments are great. Previous to this list I'd only had passing experience with N'Dour, so I'm glad to hear these highlighted albums.

Immigres and Pitche Mi fantastic works, Taaw and Badou “merely” really good. Truly the only great problems with this album are it goes by too quickly and I don’t speak Wolof, neither of which are really Youssou N’Dour’s fault. I love this dense percussion-driven and guitar and sax supported soul-y sound so I should definitely look into more N’Dour and mbalax generally probably? Also no wonder everyone with an ear to African artists wanted to get this guy on their pop albums.

Really good stuff. I've often thought that "world music" is a very reductive term for a genre that covers such a massive variety of cultures and nationalities. It is strange to lump together music from Pakistan and Madagascar and Ethiopia and Finland all under one umbrella. But in a way it feels very fitting for this album, which combines Senegalese music traditions with Islamic music and western synthesizers. The whole thing comes together into one package, rich with depth and wonderful to experience. Favorite track: "Immigrés/Bitim Rew"

Wow ! Digging it !

All time classic

Really beautiful album. It was so intriguing to me, I love all the different drum sounds, and N'Dour has quite a voice. Another of those beauties of the generator because I would have never discovered this on my own

Senegalese Frank Zappa

incredible

Wow, what a nice album. The layering of drums and percussion is excellent. If only all 80s productions sounded like this.

Very fun

Incredibly catchy and hooks you right away, introduces some ideas I haven't heard before, really lends itself to sampling. Will revisit this one sooner rather than later

Phenomenal album by Mr N'Dour. Short but sweet, never a dull moment.

Love this and wish I could pay for a bonus star for it.

Lots of joy in the music here. Reminds me of lady smith black mmbasso the way it incorporates electric guiitars, interesting horns, jammy playing. Really showcasing that Senegal has some bangers. At least this guy does.

I had been listening Youssou N'Dour contribute to Peter Gabriel compositions for years, but to my shame I had never gotten around to hearing one of his albums until today. Loved it. Had no idea what he was singing about, but that is fine, as I am rarely engaged with lyrics anyway. As a fellow percussionist, I found the vibe delightful. Need to check out more Sehel meets soul. Favorites: "Pitche Mi" and "Taaw", but I ended up adding the entire album to my library because I have a feeling the other 2 tracks are going to grow on me before long. All killer, no filler on this bad boy. I got a laugh out of the wikipedia entry, "...Though the album has been criticized for its use of synthesizers..." Dude, I love synths! And he used them well here. There is not a damn thing wrong with the use of synthesizers for anything!

Come on now

Autorail is listed as a track on RYM, but for some reason it's not anywhere on Spotify. i had to dig hard to find a recording through Google searches, but i managed to find it Pitche mi - 5/5 Taaw - 5/5 Immigres (Bitim rew) - 5/5 Badou - 4/5 Autorail - 4/5 Average score: 4.6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really good energy. Happy melodies!

A great surprise

absolute bangers, spin it again jack

banger

Bloody brilliant

Better than expected

There's no series of African recordings ever released that's as consistently excellent or historically important as Earthworks.

This had me saying Taaw!

Really loved this. So cool and beautiful.

Wonderful.

Bloody hell I loved this. Ended up listening to it three times in succession. When I get an album like this I am glad I’m doing this list as there is absolutely zero chance I would’ve heard it otherwise. Top Track - Taaw

Bangers all around. We need to encourage more 30 minute albums. I'll definitely come back to this one

I love it! I don't listen to very much music not in English on my own but I've loved all the international albums on this list so far. Very awesome to me

I grew up in the Caribbean on a steady diet of Merengue, Salsa, Son, Cha Cha Cha, Ska, and Reggae—those rhythms are in my blood. They’ve always made my feet move, and African music has the same irresistible pull. Youssou N’Dour’s Immigrés captures that spirit perfectly. This album is fantastic—magical, vibrant, and endlessly enjoyable. I loved it from the first track to the last. If I could give it 1000%, I would. An easy 5/5.

DOPE

An initial ear-opening first spin gave way to closer listening and repeat visits, driven by harmonies and musical passages that lodged themselves in my limbic system from that very first exposure: all tell-tale signs that a brand-new listen just turned into a brand-new 5-star.

More like this please.

Sensational

I feel so excited to know that this album exists. Dang that was some cool shit. Pitche Mi, what a song. Phenomenal!

So happy that I don’t live in Boston in my mom’s house and I can listen to this in my apartment in New York making dinner exactly how I want with no one to boss me around!

Fantastic! If it feels good, love it. As music should be

Cool fusion of african music with rock/electric music, 4.5 I think

Loved this. Never woulda normally listened to it but so fun

This will INSTANTLY raise your mood to better.

This album feels like it covers a lot of ground in only 4 tracks. Each one is long without feeling like it's bloated or dragging on, and I really appreciate that. I tend to enjoy a lot of African & Caribbean music, and it's easy to hear the connective tissue between this and, say, the Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba). I will be using this album as an entry point to find some more African music that isn't currently on my radar.

Wilde het een 4 geven maar is eigenlijk gewoon heel leuk

Yesss, loved this! Perfect new discovery for a sunny Friday that I would’ve otherwise never have been exposed to.

Favorite songs: Taaw, Badou, Pitche Mi Least favorite songs: Immigres/Bitim Rew 5/5

Loved this album. A good example of how diverse Afrobeat is with parts of different genres the African diaspora has influenced. Only think I didn't like was how short album was.