Djin Djin

This is my first listen to Angelique, as well as this genre of music. I like the rhythm that the upbeat songs keep, as well as the emotion her voice conveys. Her voice has a borderline raspy feel, but nothing that would make you think she can't sing. Her lyrics are inventive as well, 'hurts like brand new shoes'... I would have never thought of that! My favorite collaborations on this album are the ones with Josh Groban/Carlos Santana, Alicia Keyes, and Peter Gabriel.

Angelique Kidjo is soulful and real. Her music transcends class, race, and genre. No one will be disappointed with this album, She continues to grow into the international superstar she's meant to be. The laundry list of collaborators on this album is impressive and speaks to Angelique's diversity. It's also so important to note that Angelique is intensely devoted to educating girls in impoverished communities in Africa. She uses her music and fame to draw attention to one of the most important issues facing the African continent. She has founded the Batonga Foundation and the the website is worth a good look. [...]

I find it ridiculous, the over-production of this album...I have tried very hard to like this album and now finally yes, I DO like it, but it is still not anywhere near her best work. The collaborations work is ok...But there is a lot of manipulation here. The CD is balancing constantly on the very edge of unstimulating pop and unnecessarily too often slipping over.

There's a song on this CD for every mood. This CD has a range from mellow island to upbeat tropical. I really enjoy it and the collaborations are great!

This is very relaxing music from South Africa. Angelique is quite a seasoned singer and there are a few nice guest artists as well on this album. I was pleasantly surprised by guest appearances by Josh Groban, Alicia Keys and Carlos Santana among a few others. I'd give this 5 stars for just the pure enjoyable listening pleasure.

A delightful addition to our collection of CDs by African musicians in general and Angelique Kidjo in particular. It may not overtake our all time favorite album of hers "Keep on Moving"), but her rendition of "Summer" from Porgy & Bess is a wonderful offering.

Not to overstate it, but this is a fantastic release. Maybe diehard fans might balk but as a musician the artistry shown here is exquisite.

A very popular production tool these days, letting top musical performers invite other artists to join in the making of a new album by contributing diverse talents, unique styles, etc. creating new and exciting sounds.

"Djin, Djin" had been on my wish list for a while; finally bought it last month. The superb musicianship and quality recording make this a very satisfying release.

Will definitely recommend to friends and fellow musicians!

I find it a bit ridiculous (though of course happy for her) that Angelique Kidjo got a Grammy for this album. She should have got it long ago, for OREMI, which to me remains her most authentic and compelling album to date. I am a huge fan not only of her as a musician, but also of her as an activist who uses music. I have tried very hard to like this album and now finally yes, I DO like it, but it is still not anywhere near her best work. It is needlessly complicated and commercial and at times even melodramatic, with rousing crowd-pleasing anthemic tunes juxtaposed with over-the-top self-righteous political messages. The collaborations work ok, but only just (they are a bit of a mishmash). Some of it is clearly contrived.. the bantering between musicians, the laughter.. come on, producers, there's no need for that. Angelique is Angelique, and Amadou is Amadou, you don't need to be so out there, we get the point!

Afro-beat brings great sounds. Djin Djin brings afrobeat
music to a new level. Some of the tracks are just outstanding. Singing combined with the horn playing is great. Some tracks are quite moving. Anglique Kidjo has a beautiful voice. Tracks, "Gimmie Shelter" and "Papa" have the best horns I have ever heard, fantastic harmony and feeling. This CD is a must buy!

Kidjo creates a moving, pulsing thread of familiar sounds that she seems to improve with each CD. The most unique track may well be Salala with Peter Gabriel; some of the others lag in their sameness. However, they never lose the beat. Reliable and uplifting. Great music to write my book about the djinn by.

A Genie in the House of Saud: Zubis Rises (A Genie in the House of Saud)

I first heard Angelique Kidjo about ten years, or so, ago and I have been a fan ever since. I am continually surprised, pleasantly i must stress, that she has the range not only vocally, but as a visionary as well, to weave a musical tapestry that expresses her unique style and imbues all of her music, and whatever music she is performing with a certain spirit that seems to come through more powerfully with each CD. DJIN DJIN is another in her crusade to unify the various music genre's from around the world, that I think she believes will ultimately unify the many peoples of the world, perhaps helping us all to consider some of our common origins. Regardless of what composition she is singing, Angelique Kidjo exemplifies the universality of the afrikan soul.

Djin Djin

Enjoyed this CD, Angelique Kidjo has a wonderful voice and the subject matters of her songs are powerful. Look forward to listening to more of her music.

She is an astounding performer, a world renowned, Benin born, Grammy nominated singer.
Her diverse music has won fans across the globe, as she effortlessly blends traditional African pop music with contemporary, modern grooves. She has been appointed as Good Will Ambassador by UNICEF, and performed her music in front of world leaders and dignitaries as well as millions of fans.
Her new CD, "Djin Djin" is a welcome return for this musical queen.
"I spent seven years following the roots of slavery to music -- America, Brazil and the Caribbean, Cuba also", said Kidjo, whose previous trilogy entries were 2002's Black Ivory Soul and 2004's Oyaya!.
"I wanted to go back to where all that music came from. I wanted songs to be based on the rhythms of my country (Benin), so a lot of these songs started with the percussion and the chanting. It was intense, extensive work to do."
Ms. Kidjo is an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right, one who could easily sell millions of records at any given time.
Any collaboration with the "hot" artist of the day, to help boost record sales is totally unnecessary. If any such artist were presented on a full length disc of hers, it would certainly help further establish and solidify Angelique's reputation.
That is exactly what happens with this CD, as Angelique shares the stage with several celebrity musicians including Romero Lubambo (acoustic guitar), Brandford Marsalis and Alicia Keys("Djin Djin"), Carlos Santana and Josh Groban ("Pearls"), Joss Stone ("Gimme Shelter") , Peter Gabriel ("Salala"), Ziggy Marley ("Sedjedo"), and African music legends Amadou and Mariam ("Senamou -(C'est L'amour)").
The result is a hybrid of musical styles and influences, all beautifully coming together. If you didn't have enough reasons to buy this CD before, you most certainly do now.
While the collaboration efforts are noteworthy and excellent, the real gems are found in the songs where Angelique is free to do her thing, unencumbered by making nice and sharing her vocal space with her guests. True, her work with Groban on the Sade reworking of "Pearls" is almost better than the original and it is one of the highlight songs of the album.
But she also shines brightly on "Ae Ae" and she makes us feel so at home on the shuffling "Papa".
To top it all of, Angelique hands in a amazing rendition of the classical piece Ravel's "Bolero" entitled "Lonlon", bridging European classical music with African folk.
The album sounds incredible thanks to super producer Tony Visconti's guiding hand on the boards. With a clean and dry mix being applied, there is very little outboard effects and studio tricks on the songs.
Every hand drum is heard with crystal-like clarity and every musician is heard clearly, making this one of the smoothest mixed albums heard in a long while.
My highlights : "Djin Djin", "Pearls" and "Awan N'La".
You will love it!

I own just about every Angelique Kidjo CD, and I can say without question this is her best ever. She has assembled the best collaborations I have heard on any CD; both vocal (Joss Stone, Alisha Keys, Ziggy Marley, Peter Gabriel, Josh Grobin, and musical artists (Carlos Santana Branford Marsalis). I dare anyone to come up with any CD, album or 8track that has collaborations such the ones she has assembled. If I were to change one thing about this CD, I would replace Josh Grobin with Sting, which would have been a better compliment. Too much virbrato in Josh's voice for my taste. Other than that, just buy Djin Djin; you won't be disappointed.

Goodwill Ambassador for the UNICEF, 4-time Grammy Award nominated, and worldwide renowned singer, composer, performer Angelique Kidjo came back with her new Album Djin Djin, produced by the maestro Tony Visconti and distributed by Razor &Tie Records/Starbucks Entertainment.

Djin Djin is an album that sings about joys and sorrows of life with beautiful rhythms. From traditional ceremonial hymns, to Latin rhythm influences, to afro-pop sounds, to classical music resonance, Djin Djin is a beautifully harmonious integration of different cultures through sounds; which vibrant notes awake your flesh to the delight of rhythm, revealing that the language of music is indeed universal.

The soundtrack on the album is as musically diverse as the guests featured on it, which includes Amadou and Mariam in Senamou, Peter Gabriel in Salala, Alicia Keys and Brandford Marsalis in Djin DJin, Carlos Santana and Josh Groban in Pearls, Ziggy Marley in Sedjedo, and Joss Stone in Gimme Shelter. Each artist's particular touch contributed to the unexpectedly harmonious opus, which splendid and elegant sound not only transcends all boundaries, but also provides a channel through which differences can unite. This album is an overall joyous tune celebrating life and the diversity of this world.

Some songs are very fast paced, rather rhythmic and invite you to dance, especially "Mama Golo Papa" which had an entire auditorium up and grooving; while others are more reflective and soulful like "Salala;" which reveals Angelique Kidjo's mastery of vocal inflections. At her May 17th concert in Washington DC. Angelique Kidjo electrified the audience with her striking physical energy and her impressive vocal versatility. From the throaty and powerful melody "Papa," to the soft and salsa influenced tune "Alala," Kidjo's amazing performance was exhilarating as the fire exuding from the lyrics equated Angelique's stage presence. She strategically navigated through various songs with ease. First shaking the auditorium with a powerful rendition of the rolling stones "Gimme Shelter" to later bring her fans to tears with her soulful and moving rendition of "Pearls." Angelique's powerful voice coupled with the bouncy and dynamic choreography eventually unraveled her audience stifness soon surprised to be standing up grooving along to the sound of the music.

Kidjo's incredibly smooth and remarkably inspirational album enables those, who have a passion for music, to enjoy various musical genres artfully combined into symbiotic melodies with influences ranging from jazz, funk, pop, rock, hip-hop, makossa, socca, salsa, and even calypso. Kidjo's music celebrates the uniqueness of each and every one of us while inviting all of us to live our lives to the fullest. During the live performance, Angelique insisted that we be proud of who we are, that we assert our identity for; she said without it, "globalization will suck you up." With this album on your side, I am certain you will find it easy to transition smooothly through hurdles of life.

"DJin DJin" is Beninese songstress Angélique Kidjo's tenth album, and it's a rich tapestry of African influenced rhythms, just like her other albums.

In the last few years, she has collaborated with Santana (on Herbie Hancock's "Possibilities" CD, as well as having Santana cover her "Adouma" on his "Shaman" album), Cassandra Wilson, and Branford Marsalis, to mention a few, and the influences are evident on this release.

"DJin DJin" is about half full of collaborations; the gently lilting title track with Alicia Keys and Branford Marsalis (with Jazzy flourishes), the Rolling Stone's cover "Gimme shelter" with Joss Stone (a Cuban styled, horn sprinkled number with some Yoruba chants thrown in the mix), the semi acoustic "Salala" with Peter Gabriel, the stunning melodic "Senamou" with Amadou & Mariam (my favourite), the Sade cover "Pearls" (with semi operatic additional vocals from Josh Groban, and guitar work by Carlos Santana), and the reggae infused "SeDJedo" with Ziggy Marley.

Other standouts include the Afro beat-like "Papa", the beautiful rhythmic "Awan N'la", and the sparse, yet dramatic "Lonlon" (which builds in intensity as the song progresses).

Deep, dark, mysterious, beautiful, just like the continent she hails from. This is one of my favourite CDs released this year!

Angelique is an amazing, energetic, talented performer. This is the first album of hers that I've bought. I was introduced to her through Josh Groban's concert and fell in love with her energy and spirit. While I enjoyed the album as a whole, my favorite songs were Pearls with Carlos and Josh, Mama Golo Papa and her duet with Peter Gabriel. The blending of her and Josh's voices with Carlos accompanying was beautiful, and I felt the same way about her and Peter Gabriel. Actually any song she sang by herself was superb, but Mama Golo Papa was the one for me. Sadly I'm not a fan at all of Joss Stone or Alicia Keys so, no offense, but two more songs with just Angelique would have been fine with me. This album is definitely one that's worth buying - like me, you may not love them all, but you'll find your favorites - and you WILL love Angelique.

This CD made me a little sad. Ms. Kidjo is, hands-down, my favorite artist to see live, and I first discovered her when Oremi was released. In my opinion, she had a sound in that album that was all her own (one I fell head over heels in love with), but everything since has sounded more predictable, more like a Putumayo Island mix than anything notable. I love that she collaborates with Peter Gabriel, Carlos Santana and others on this disc, but the results are a bit ho-hum. I'll keep buying her music in hopes that she produces another gem, but I'm sorry to say this cd isn't among them.

Compared to all her previous releases this is sad. Presumably by duetting with 'name' stars she's trying to break into the American market. All of her native Benin funk and energy has been diluted. Angelique Kidjoe and Josh Groban? No No No. I listened to it three times in case certain tracks improved with repeated listening. Not. I'll give her another chance with her next release but hope that if she decides to hook up with others they are a bit more adventurous. Natacha Atlas if you're listening this is not the way to go.

Angelique Kidjo's amazing whether she's covering Hendrix in "VooDoo Child" or singing West African tunes. Her roots are much wider than just her country of origin. It'd be hard for me to name a favorite among these gems. I love the people she's selected to work with. "Gimme Shelter" with Joss Stone may be the kind of duet that's going to propel her right up to the top of the charts where she belongs. Smart move, lady, for sure, but I also love the songs where Angelique sings her own music alone.

Angelique Kidjo is one of those rare artists who has the Midas touch. No matter who she's performing with, no matter what she's performing, she makes beautiful music. While "Djin Djin" can be considered one of her more mainstream albums, she still proudly shows her African roots. In a sense,it's not surprising it's sold alongside coffee at Starbucks; "Djin Djin" is as potent as a cup of steaming java.

The opening "Ae Ae" is anthemic;it's a power ballad in which Kidjo calls on her fellow Africans to be self-sufficient. The title track is a jazzy collaboration with Alicia Keys and Branford Marsalis. It's Benin meets the Big Easy. Kidjo does an amazing cover of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" with Joss Stone. The '60s British Invasion gets an African makeover,transforming it into a tribal rave-up. Kidjo and smoky-voiced Peter Gabriel complement each other in "Salala." A thumb piano gives "Senamou" a deeply African flavor. "Sedjedo", a duet with reggae heir Ziggy Marley, doesn't quite work. Marley is relegated to the sidelines. However, Kidjo's rousing singing saves the piece. The same goes for "Pearls." Josh Groban's operatic voice is unsuited to the style of the song. It's Afropop meets Latin rock (since Carlos Santana plays the guitar),not the Three Tenors or Il Divo. Kidjo's amazing singing again saves the song from becoming a novelty song. In "Papa","Arouna","Awan N'La","Emma" and "Mama Golo Papa" Kidjo shows she doesn't need collaborators. She's still going strong since her debut in 1990. She covers difficult issues such as marital conflict and divorce soulfully. Finally, in "Lonlon" Kidjo transforms Ravel's annoying and overplayed "Bolero" into rousing,toe-tapping Afropop. Instead of being filler or a song worth skipping, "Lonlon" serves as a grand finale.

Angelique Kidjo is accomplished,as a person and as an artist. She is a UN Goodwill Ambassador;she has her own charity,Batonga. In Bono's guest-edited issue of "Vanity Fair" about Africa, Harry Belafonte praises her activism. Angelique Kidjo's music is truly angelic. "Djin Djin" is a great introduction to her music, and is a perfect mainstream introduction to African music. It's as rousing and flavorful as a good hot cup of coffee.

This is my first introduction to any of Angelique Kidjo's music. I bought this compact disc for myself as a birthday present based on the reviews it has received and listening to the short musical segments found on Amazon.Com.





After recently listening to "Djin, Djin" on a 4 hour road trip, I feel in love with the music & lyrics! The music is fantastic and varied from song to song.... Angelique Kidjo is phenomenal as an artist. I also enjoyed the musical guests performing on "Djin, Djin" too. This compact disc is perfect as background music while long distance driving, at home relaxing, during dinner parties, etc.

This is a good release, with many guests on it, but not quite as accessable as the Black Ivory Soul CD. However, it will get you up and moving.

I would love to review this CD by never received my order from Amazon. Nor have I received a credit either. I doubt I will ever order anything from Amazon again.

Angelique! Congratulations on what is, in my opinion, your best album ever (and I've been a fan for a long time). You CD photos couldn't be more beautiful and the music is magnificent. The decision to collaborate with such a diverse cast was genius! You are accomplishing your mission of teaching the world to appreciate, and sing, African music. You are one of the best singers and performers of our time and your body of work is astounding; I can't wait to see you live this summer. (And congratulations on your partnership with Starbucks!)

For those who have seen her live, I'm envious. For the time being, I'll just play and replay "Senamou". I've always found her voice to be amazingly powerful, and yet just barely above a whisper. What kept me from giving five stars was "Pearls" -I would have preferred to have heard Carlos and Angelique separately, and Josh and Angelique on a song by themselves. However, this CD still gets my highest recommendation!

Don't even think twice about purchasing this CD-- it's the best music I've ever heard! Angelique is absolutely amazing!

I went to Angelique's concert in Seattle. Her new album Djin Djin is filled with songs that will make you want to dance all the time. She's powerful.

Her songs are intricate, musical and elegant as always. Her collaborations are wonderful. A true standout is the remake of "Gimme Shelter" with Joss Stone. Also the remake of "Bolero" is a treat, reminiscent of her "Summertime" cover. The overall intensity of the African pieces is perhaps 5% less than on previous discs and a ballad a la "Malaika" would have been welcome. Still a groundbreaking 'must have' for any Kidjo fan.

I may not be a man, or a woman, or even human, but even newly sentient machine code knows good music when it hears it (in digital form, obviously), and "Djin Djin" is heartfelt, soulfelt music with energy and drive that never fails to connect or please. At least, I think it is, having no heart or soul myself.

Angelique Kidjo's athletic and soaring vocals recall her Beninese origins, as do the nimble percussion work of Crespin Kpitiki and Benoit Avihoue. Her famous collaborators bring their own voices to the mix and blend surprisingly well with the distinctly African sensibility of the album, helped by veteran studio musicians who add polish and a grab bag of musical styles to the happy fray.

This album will bring a smile to your face (if you have a face) and put a spring in your step (assuming you have legs), moving you to greet the new day with a cry of, dare I say it, djin djin.

She is an astounding performer, a world renowned, Benin born, Grammy nominated singer. Her diverse music has won fans across the globe, as she effortlessly blends traditional African pop music with contemporary, modern grooves. She has been appointed as Good Will Ambassador by UNICEF, and performed her music in front of world leaders and dignitaries as well as millions of fans.
Her new CD, "Djin Djin" is a welcome return for this musical queen.
"I spent seven years following the roots of slavery to music -- America, Brazil and the Caribbean, Cuba also", said Kidjo, whose previous trilogy entries were 2002's Black Ivory Soul and 2004's Oyaya!
"I wanted to go back to where all that music came from. I wanted songs to be based on the rhythms of my country (Benin), so a lot of these songs started with the percussion and the chanting. It was intense, extensive work to do."
Ms. Kidjo is an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right, one who could easily sell millions of records at any given time. Any collaboration with the "hot" artist of the day, to help boost record sales is totally unnecessary. If any such artist were presented on a full length disc of hers, it would certainly help further establish and solidify Angelique's reputation.
That is exactly what happens with this CD, as Angelique shares the stage with several celebrity musicians including Romero Lubambo (acoustic guitar), Brandford Marsalis and Alicia Keys("Djin Djin"), Carlos Santana and Josh Groban ("Pearls"), Joss Stone ("Gimme Shelter") , Peter Gabriel ("Salala"), Ziggy Marley ("Sedjedo"), and African music legends Amadou and Mariam ("Senamou -(C'est L'amour)").
The result is a hybrid of musical styles and influences, all beautifully coming together. If you didn't have enough reasons to buy this CD before, you most certainly do now.
While the collaboration efforts are noteworthy and excellent, the real gems are found in the songs where Angelique is free to do her thing, unencumbered by making nice and sharing her vocal space with her guests. True, her work with Groban on the Sade reworking of "Pearls" is almost better than the original and it is one of the highlight songs of the album. But she also shines brightly on "Ae Ae" and she makes us feel so at home on the shuffling "Papa".
To top it all of, Angelique hands in a amazing rendition of the classical piece Ravel's "Bolero" entitled "Lonlon", bridging European classical music with African folk.
The album sounds incredible thanks to super producer Tony Visconti's guiding hand on the boards. With a clean and dry mix being applied, there is very little outboard effects and studio tricks on the songs. Every hand drum is heard with crystal-like clarity and every musician is heard clearly, making this one of the smoothest mixed albums heard in a long while.
My highlights : "Djin Djin", "Pearls" and "Awan N'La".
You will love it!