Search - Joy Denalane :: Mamani

Could be a Hit in the U.S. (Final Review)

Tubman and Truth | Central, NY | 11/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This might be the first of two reviews written by me of this cd. I accidentally sent a draft review in then emailed Amazon twice asking if it could be deleted and this one submitted. Since they have not gotten back to me, I had to submit my finalized review under a different account.) I have had this cd for about a month now, and I still listen to it every day. Now, I can not speak to what the lyrics are saying specifically as I do not understand German or any of the other langauges to be found on the cd besides English, but that is not even important here. The songs still touch me deeply and/ or make me dance. And isnt that what good music is supposed to do? Due to much research, I at least have a sense of what each song is about. Many other reviewers have compared Denalane to "Neo Soul" artists such as Badu, Arie, Scott, etc. Perhaps this is because there is a level of political, cultural, and womanist conciousness in her lyrics! But stylistically, If I were to group her with more contemporary artists it would be with the "New Jack Swing" artists Mary J. Blige, and one of my favorites, Faith Evans. Moslty, her slower songs remind me of the ones found on Evan's first cd. The similarity in sound/style to Blige can be heard on Wem Gehort Die Welt. Her guests/backup singers sound as beautifully as she, and African instruments make this cd just come alive. Nina Simones's Four Women sung by Tavares, Chinowiso, Deborah, and Joy is ingenously done with each woman singing their part in Portuguese, Shona, French, and German respectively. It is one of my favorites on the cd! Chinowiso JAMS on her part! Joy's English version of B. Holiday's I Cover the Waterfront only further solidified my opinion of hers as one of the more exciting and sensual voices I have heard in a while. The transition from .. Waterfront into the Outro, which is mostly instrumental, is HOT! As for one reviewer's comments about track 18, it actually starts out as an African a capella song. Deep in track 18 there is a club version of Geh Jetzt. Here is where you will find the weakest part of the cd. If Joy has managed to make German sound easy on the ears of R and B lovers, the rap in the song has done just the opposite! The song would have been better without it! Nevertheless In English, this CD would easily be a chart topper in the U.S.! And if our radio stations were more open to playing international music, it very well might be a hit even without translation! Good job to everyone who worked on this project! I have been spreading the word about this cd! I might even order the live version of it! Now, to find an English translation of the lyrics!"

Black German Pride

Rosemarie Pena | USA | 01/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thank you Joy for representing Black Germans through your music. As music is often referred to as the "universal language"

it is in this case a way to make others aware that we exist and have existed but never acknowledged. We are truly grateful to you for making our presence known. You wonderfully express our pain & struggle in your music.



We are anxiously waiting to hear more from you in the future. Vielen Dank und bitte, mehr, mehr, mehr.



Find out more aboout Black Germans at www.isdonline.de & blackgermans.us"

Could be a hit in the U.S.

Keeper | Earth, Universe | 11/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First let me say, I do not speak/read/understand a word of any language in which Joy sings besides English! Secondly, I first came across this sistah's work when I bought a CD called Global Soul which included Hochste Zeit on the compilation. About six months ago I listened to samples of other songs from Mamani online and was determined to get this CD. I asked a friend of mine in England to see if she could get it for me. I got it in the mail yesterday. Now, I can not speak to what the lyrics are saying specifically, but that is not even important here. Many other reviewers have compared her to comtemporary "Neo Soul" artists. Maybe the comparsions are due to similarities in lyrics, but in terms of sound, depth, passion, and talent, Ms. Denalane's sound is closer to that of pure R & B artists of the 70s and earlier. THIS is refreshing! The grooves on her slower songs are those that make you want to grab a partner and have a nice slow dance the way you did when you first Shirley Murdock! Her guests singers sound as beautifuly as she, and the muscians, particuarly those on the African influenced songs, make this cd just come alive. Not everyone can cover a Billie Holiday song this well. Gettng the chance to hear her sing it in English only further solidified the opinion I had begun to devlop about this singer while listening to the other songs. Simply put, this is one of the best new voices I have heard in a long time. In English, this would easily be a chart topper in the U.S.! And if our radio stations were more open to playing international music, it very well might be a hit even without translation! Good job to everyone who worked on this project! I will be spreading the word about this woman! Now, to find an English translation of the lyrics!"