"Seya" means "Joy," and with her latest record, Oumou Sangare reminds us that joy is a far more complex emotion than its lighter semi-synonyms: glee, mirth, even happiness. Joy requires work and effort. Once reached, it sustains easily, but the quest for joy is not a simple one. With rich, textured compositions, stunning vocal and instrumental elements, and wise, gratifying lyrics (with translations provided in French and English in the liner notes), Seya is a joy, indeed.
The Joy of 'Seya'
When everything is wonderful about a CD, it's hard to know where to start with a description. When it's an Oumou Sangare CD, though, it's not hard to find that focal point: Oumou Sangare is it. She's quite simply one of the most powerful singers in the world. Shifting easily from high, reedy notes to low growls, rolling trills and effortless "big notes," she's got the pipes, folks. What's more remarkable, though, is the way she flips back and forth between using her voice as "part of the band," churning and chugging along with their swirling melodies and rhythms, and then stepping out in front and pulling the song out, torch-singer style.
That said, the lady knows what she's doing when making a great CD. The musicians involved are outstanding, and the production value is top-notch. Seya shows Oumou Sangare's maturity as a musician, producer, and songwriter - it's the farthest thing from the flimsy efforts of a wide-eyed starlet that you can imagine. The lyrical content alone is evidence of that - in classic Sangare style, the songs deal unapologetically with progressive West African women's issues: the right to choose one's own husband, for example. It also deals with death, which seems unlikely for an album that is thematically about joy, but as I said before, Oumou Sangare confidently reminds us that joy is complex.
That said, the lady knows what she's doing when making a great CD. The musicians involved are outstanding, and the production value is top-notch. Seya shows Oumou Sangare's maturity as a musician, producer, and songwriter - it's the farthest thing from the flimsy efforts of a wide-eyed starlet that you can imagine. The lyrical content alone is evidence of that - in classic Sangare style, the songs deal unapologetically with progressive West African women's issues: the right to choose one's own husband, for example. It also deals with death, which seems unlikely for an album that is thematically about joy, but as I said before, Oumou Sangare confidently reminds us that joy is complex.
Standout Tracks
The album is so well-sequenced that it's definitely worth at least one straight-through listen, but the laid-back title track "Seya," the saxophone-twinged "Wele Wele Wintou," and the ode-to-self (seriously, the woman knows her own value, and isn't afraid to say it) "Sukunyali" are among my favorites.
'Seya' was released internationally on Nonesuch Records in June, 2009. Playing time is 56.3 minutes.
'Seya' - The Bottom Line
Confident, mature, bold, and uncompromising, Oumou Sangare is just plain fantastic, and Seya is testament to that. With all of its weightiness, though, it's still a fun and fresh record, proof positive that joy is a many-layered thing.'Seya' was released internationally on Nonesuch Records in June, 2009. Playing time is 56.3 minutes.
