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Born in Cameroon, Africa, Sally Nyolo moved to Paris while still in
her teens. There she joined Zap Mama, an African a capella group, before deciding to go
on her own in the mid-1990s.
I saw Sally Nyolo and her entourage at
Scullers on Boston in 1997, the year the disc was released. They emerged with amazing
energy, clad in colorful dress and bearing an unusual and expansive collection of
percussion instruments attached to accessories resembling tool belts. The entire room
came alive that night, and every ounce of that energy shines through on this
disc.
The disc opens with the title track which consists of waves
crashing, light percussion, and exquisite vocals. This is upbeat African pop with a
strong bass line, a wonderfully exotic mix of percussion and tight vocal harmonies,
colorful with rhythmic lyrics.
The fourth and sixth tracks, “Awono”
and “Manterry,” begin a cappella with vocals so beautiful, I’m almost disappointed when
the instrumentals kick in.
I don’t understand the lyrics, and
perhaps that makes it easier to really feel this music and appreciate the vocals in a
different way than I’m used to.
This disc conjures images of
turquoise water and palms in the breeze. It’s lively, dancing, foot-tapping fare, ideal
for your summer party.
