Label: Smithsonian Folkways
Category: Music
Average customer rating:
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
UPC: 093074040126
EAN: 0093074040126
ASIN: B000001DK2
Release Date: 1992-07-13
Mbuti Pygmies of Ituri Rainforest
|
|
Artist:
Various Artists
Label: Smithsonian Folkways Category: Music
Average customer rating:
Media: Audio CD Number Of Discs: 1 UPC: 093074040126 EAN: 0093074040126 ASIN: B000001DK2 Release Date: 1992-07-13 |
General
|
Africa
|
International
|
Styles
|
Music
General
|
International
|
Styles
|
Music
General
|
Pop
|
Styles
|
Music
Africa
|
Compilations
|
International
|
Styles
|
Music
General
|
International
|
Indie Music
|
Stores
|
Music
Africa
|
International
|
Indie Music
|
Stores
|
Music
Listmania:
Tracks:
Similar Items:
Customer Reviews:
Genius in the forest.......2003-06-29
This disc is fantastic. It collects the recordings from 2 previous LP's and is a collection of 1950's field-recordings from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire at the time these recordings were made).
This is largely vocal music. A feast of layered, rhythmic, cyclical vocal repetition. When trying to describe this music to a Westerner, I usually say that this must be the music that inspired Philip Glass' overall concept, except that Mbuti music is so much better, deeper, transportational and more emotional. He fails at what they have mastered. This music is probably coming out of the oldest rhythmic and harmonic tradition of any music I own. I lose myself in the rhythmic repetition of these voices. There are times when I listen to this cd where I feel like I have been zapped 10,000 years back in time. This is just purely spiritual music, and one of the most technically advanced ancient rainforest musics I've ever heard (at least so far). There's no Western influence to water it down or take away from its traditional power.
I rarely use the word "genius" to describe people, because I feel that word is thrown around like nothing, quite often. In the case of the Mbuti's though, I feel that genius fits perfectly. Probably 98% of their musical tradition is ensemble vocal music, yet in the couple instances where they do use instruments (often borrowed or stolen from outsiders, the liner-notes say), they are just as incredible. There are a few mbira (thumb piano) tracks on here that are beautiful. Some of the best mbira music I've ever heard. They also seem to be just as adept with musical sticks and musical bows. For a people who seem to not care about instruments one way or the other, they seem to master everything they touch, no matter how briefly.
This is an excellent cd. One of my favorites.
Music CD:
Music CD
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah ~ Mallet Head
Bellydance With Özel Türkbas: How To Make Your Husband A Sultan ~ Ozel Turkbas