http://elevatedifference.lndo.site/taxonomy/term/7033/all en http://elevatedifference.lndo.site/review/rokia-traor%C3%A9-%E2%80%93-tchamantch%C3%A9 <div class="node"> <div class="review-image"> <div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-review-image"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> <img src="http://elevatedifference.lndo.site/sites/default/files/imagecache/review_image_full/review_images/7773906731460745588.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-review_image_full imagecache-default imagecache-review_image_full_default" width="250" height="227" /> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="meta-terms"> <div class="author">By <a href="/author/rokia-traor">Rokia Traoré</a></div><div class="publisher"><a href="/publisher/nonesuch-records">Nonesuch Records</a></div> </div> <p>Malian singer Rokia Traoré blends African music with European and American folk music to create a sound that is interesting, balanced, and beautiful. As someone who fits more comfortably on the metal side of the spectrum, I have not removed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C0NMY8?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=feminrevie-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B001C0NMY8">this disc</a> from my stereo since I first listened to it a month ago. Rokia Traoré is on permanent rotation (amongst <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005NGZX?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=feminrevie-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00005NGZX">Converge</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002KHH?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=feminrevie-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B000002KHH">Black Sabbath</a>, mind you). </p> <p>Her voice is clear, well-studied, and flawless. Traoré makes the slightest vocal trill sound like the auditory equivalent of a da Vinci. It is a voice that trembles with pain and rumbles with anger (<a href="http://feministreview.blogspot.com/2008/10/nina-simone-to-be-free-nina-simone.html">Nina Simone</a> comes to mind) while delivering a sweetly joyous edge (a la <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002KBU?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=feminrevie-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B000002KBU">Joni Mitchell</a>). </p> <p>The production value on this album is also incredible. I love the crispness with which the vocals and instruments were recorded. I actually can’t think of enough positive commentary to fit in this review. Sexy, soulful, and fantastic—make sure to check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPbUkI-FuXs">her music on YouTube</a> for live performances that will also blow you away.</p> <div> <span class="reviewer-names"><strong>Written by:</strong> <a href="/reviewer/emily-s-dunster">Emily S. Dunster</a></span>, March 18th 2009 </div> <div class="tag-list">Tags: <a href="/tag/africa">Africa</a>, <a href="/tag/dark">dark</a>, <a href="/tag/folk">folk</a></div> </div> http://elevatedifference.lndo.site/review/rokia-traor%C3%A9-%E2%80%93-tchamantch%C3%A9#comments Music Rokia Traoré Nonesuch Records Emily S. Dunster Africa dark folk Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:39:00 +0000 admin 3409 at http://elevatedifference.lndo.site