Iso is an album by Ismaël Lô, released in 1994.[2][3] The album contains soft guitar melodies, and traditional Senegalese mbalax. It peaked in the top 10 on Billboard's World Albums chart.[4]
Iso | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 26 July 1994 | |||
Recorded | at Studio Harry Son, Paris, France | |||
Genre | Mbalax | |||
Length | 56:52 | |||
Label | Mango[1] | |||
Producer | Ibrahima Sylla, Saidou Khalidou | |||
Ismaël Lô chronology | ||||
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Production
editThe album was produced by Ibrahima Sylla and Saidou Khalidou.[5] It was recorded in Paris.[6]
Critical reception
editReview scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
Rolling Stone wrote that "Lo's trademark is a blend of spare guitars and ululating Islamic singing that trades lines with a moody, airy harmonica."[8] The Gazette determined that "the production is sweet and one or two tracks are catchy, but most of the emotion seems fabricated."[9] The Guardian noted: "Socially-aware songs and a lonesome harmonica have won him a 'Bob Dylan of Senegal' tag, but the title does scant honour to the beauty of his voice."[10]
AllMusic wrote that "the music moves ... from pure Afrobeat, on to piano-accompanied vocal work, vaguely in the vocal jazz/pop singer style."[7]
Track listing
edit- "Dibi Dibi Rek"
- "Nafantav"
- "Kasi Rap"
- "Rero"
- "Maseven"
- "EM-ZET"
- "VVO"
- "Baol Baol"
- "Naboou"
- "Nassarane"
- "Deep Soweto"
- "Chakka Dolla"
- "Khar"
- "Siya Shezi"
Notes and personnel information
edit- Personnel: Ismael Lo (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Babacar Dieng, Awa Maiga, Isabella Gonzales, Myriam Betty (vocals); Ass Malick Diouf, Yves Njock, Roe (guitar); Patrick Papino, Alain Hato (saxophone); Giansserand (trumpet); Bolognesi (trombone); Pierre Michel Sivadier (piano); Ousmane Wade, Manu Lima (keyboards); Jean Bardy (contrebass); Samba Laobe Ndiaye, Tony Bonfils (bass); Youssou Camara, Brice Wassi (drums); El Hadj Faye (sabar); Samy Ateba (percussion); Ousmane Toure (background vocals).
- Engineers: Philippe Brun, Alex Firla.
- Principally recorded at Studio Harry Son, Paris, France.
- All songs written or co-written by Lo.
References
edit- ^ Lipp, Marty (4 May 1995). "African Pop That's Easy On the Western Ear". Newsday. p. B7.
- ^ Dorian, Frederick; Duane, Orla; McConnachie, James (July 20, 1999). "World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
- ^ "Ismaël Lô Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "WORLD MUSIC ALBUMS". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. Billboard. 28 Oct 1994. p. 14.
- ^ "Album reviews — Iso by Ismael Lo". Billboard. 106 (38): 66. Sep 17, 1994.
- ^ Levesque, Roger (27 Nov 1994). "ISMAEL LO: iso". Edmonton Journal. p. C4.
- ^ a b "Ismaël Lô - Iso Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ McLane, Daisann (Dec 29, 1994). "Global beat". Rolling Stone (698–699): 182.
- ^ Feist, Daniel (5 Nov 1994). "ISMAEL LO Iso". The Gazette. p. E4.
- ^ Spencer, Neil (7 Aug 1994). "Pop releases". The Observer Review Page. The Guardian.