Ayub Ogada The Meters Peter Hammill - Plus From Us (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

Expand your musical vocabulary

gdatlanta | Atlanta, Georgia USA | 08/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Front to back, this album is severely incredible. Featuring the musicians on "Us" doing their own thing, this album has a variety ranging from western, eastern, african, middle eastern cultures and more. Despite the variety, the CD flows well from one song to the next and never gets boring. The only bad thing about this CD is that it caused me to go out and buy most of the CDs from the artists on here - that's actually a good thing. Without this CD I wouldn't have become exposed to some of the better music on the planet today. The opening track is simultaneously the most beautiful and hauntng piece of traditional african music in existence. Manu Katche (the incredible drummer) throws a curveball by singing on a nightclub-oriented tune. Tony Levin once again confounds us with his super stick playing on a solo piece. David Rhodes' song nearly jerks a tear each time. William Orbit always pleases the ear. This is collection of heartfelt songs which never gets old. Buy it now - you can't go wrong."

...and now let's introduce the band.

Michael Sean | Seattle, WA - US | 02/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After the positive response to "Passion Sources," the companion CD to Peter Gabriel's soundtrack for "The Last Temptation of Christ," he decided to release this collection to showcase the work of the various musicians who played on his fantastic "Us" album. For fans curious to hear more of the international influences on Gabriel's sound, this disc acts as a nice sampler of several Real World artists. Kenya's Ayub Ogada opens the set with his wonderful "Obiero" (a superior version recorded two years prior to the version on his "En Mana Kuoyo" album) and is interestingly followed by New Orleans' the Meters. The selection varies nicely from Russia's Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble and India's Shankar'N'Caroline to more mainstream acts like Brian Eno, William Orbit and Daniel Lanois. David Rhodes' "Down By The River" and Alex Gifford's "Morecambe Bay" are also standout tracks. While they may not receive as much attention as Mr. Gabriel does, they are certainly deserving of it. This compilation is a refreshing mix of sounds that will hopefully tune the listener to some new artists, if not new worlds."

World Music. Need I say more?

Writer | Out of silence. | 02/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well broaden your musical knowledge and also refine your taste. If you listen to this album, then I guarantee you Nirvana!!! Just kidding. But thats the way I felt when I first listened to it. Peter Gabriel is an amazing composer himself. Yet he has not failed to introduce different talents like his own from different parts of the world. I appreciate his effort in making this album. Thanks to him and all "Plus From US" artists for producing a highly refined musical album. Nirvana guaranteed for listeners!!! Do you think I am exaggerating too much? Listent to the album then make your conclusion about my remarks."

A kaleidascope of many international music styles.

Distant Voyageur | Io | 07/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a companion album to Peter Gabriel's "US" album, this Real World collection entitled "Plus From Us" features an extremely eclectic collection of 15 songs sampling a combination of almost pure traditional music like what you'd find from "Passion Sources", to almost completely Western pop to even blues jazz. The album cover almost perfectly fits the mood of the album: Dark but also colorful and inspiring.

On the most Western-sounding side of this CD are my favorite track "Best Friend/Paranoia". This song begins with a dark haunting breeze effect followed by an entrancing ambient melody but in the middle of the track, it gives way to an eerie atmosphere followed by an energetic hip-hop dance beat. It's hard to believe but I find this track to be very energetic just from the combination of unsettling, romantic, groovy and beautiful all in one. "Loan Bear" has various guitar styles with a very low-pitch bass guitar which gives away to a higher pitched ending. "Down By The River" by David Rhodes though is the most accessible track on here with a beautiful jazz-driven acoustic guitar and lovely sunny afternoon mood.

Midway across the spectrum would get gems like "Keep On Marching" which has a groovy blues-jazz style that would be worthy of playing at a backyard grill gathering. Ayub Ogada's "Obiero" is a stunning beauty with a guitar sound I can only describe as Ayub's. It's a beautiful opener to this CD.

On the other extreme end of the musical spectrum, we get songs that are much more non-Western and having almost no electronic instruments at all. "Baladi Hetta" has a multi-layered drum ensemble from what I'm guessing is around Saudi Arabia and the drum loop I think was partially sampled in Peter Gabriel's "The Feeling Begins". "Pine Tree on the Street" is pure vocals from a Russian Ensemble and it's very interesting to listen to when one has an open mind.

"Plus From US" takes some time to digest but it pays back many rewards after several listens. The shifts in styles can be a bit jarring at times but overall, PFU is a must-have

"

Starring the ingredients

Martin Fourcade | Buenos Aires | 11/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD as a consequence of having enjoyed (I still do) Peter Gabriel's "US", which I still consider one of the best albums ever. My expectations for "Plus from us" were zero as I considered it sort of extra merchandising around "Us" production. +from us came out to be an amazingly balanced album based upon wide eclectic origins bonded together in a very coherent way which is the bonus of rediscovering "Us" after its original ingredients."

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