Search - Mina :: Bula Bula

Still crazy after all these years

Sasha | at sea...sailing somewhere | 08/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there is a handful of senior musicians in the whole world who are still capable of recording high-quality albums filled with up-to-date music,Mina is one of them.Its absolutely mind boggling how can someone who has recorded first single in 1958. stil deliever album like this in 2005. and answer to this might be not only great collaborators but also Mina's good taste in selecting right material from composers who every year respectfully bring their goods to her shrine in Lugano.At the very beggining of her career Mina has recorded some of the catchiest pop tunes in italian music but her voice and approach to music has changed very much since and she metarmophosed into gracefuly aged,deep voiced grandmother of euro pop (eccentric nevertheless,one has to be young inside to continue making music like this).

The best thing about "Bula Bula" (imaginary island where album is supposedly recorded) is how slow-burning and excellent it is after repeating listening.It's that rare type of album that gradually grows under listener's skin and sounds better and better each time.From opener,medium tempo "Vai e vai e vai" through dazzling collection of different arrangements and sounds (courtesy of four producers and twelve composers) Mina sails through such different tapestry of music as after-midnight,jazzy ballads ("Se"),french pop ("La fin de vacances"),bossa nova ("Sei o non sei"),jazz-pop ("Bell'animalone"),irresistible latin sound ("Dove sarai"),even classicaly orchestrated "20 parole".Strongest points are ballads ("Portati via" where her grandson has cameo as voice on answerphone,"Fra mille ani") and my favourite quasy-retro "La fretta di vestito" where Mina's regal voice still shines as ever,but by far the biggest surprise is bonus track where production is embarrasment of riches and explosion of effects are pure genius.For such a living legend,even mediocre album would be welcome sign of vitality but "Bula Bula" exceeds all expactations and places Mina - again- in league of her own.Excellent."

Superbe

Mina | Lille, France | 04/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a bizarre "Veleno", this album is plenty of new songs with original personal touch and a great production. Some "almost-disco" and originalities of Mina's voice are allways included. The more I listen to it the more I love it."

WONDERFUL!!!!

Francisco Saldaña | mexico, mexico city | 03/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PERSONALLY I THINK ISTHE BEST MINA CD , IT'S ELEGANT, HAVE A LOT OF GOOD SONGS, BUY IT!! AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW HER WORK YET, THIOS IS THE BEST OPTION!!"