Most Overlooked Album of the Year 2007

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

Following on somewhat from the Grammys topic, I'd be interested in what others consider the most overlooked album of the year, i.e. some favourite that doesn't seem to have received the widespread attention it deserves (in their humble opinion).

Mine, by some considerable degree, is Café Noir by Papa Noel, or perhaps that's Bana Congo presents Papa Noel with guest artists. In the US, it was released on Tumi and is available digitally via eMusic. It is gorgeously done, in the Afro-Cuban vein. Although some might argue that it doesn't break new ground, there's something about it that seems to me to knit together a lot of loose ends, or at least bring the African together with the Cuban perhaps more tightly than anything else I recall. Anyone who has enjoyed Buena Vista Social Club for the past ten years and wants to step out eastward a little bit further, anyone who enjoys Africando or Ricardo Lemvo or Orchestra Baobab, anyone who just likes superb music, will find this worthwhile. I guarantee it. And yet, I've just never picked up any buzz about it.

[Jamie Renton]

I'm in full agreement with you there Jonathan, the Bana Congo CD is very much on the money (& oozes virtuosity from every pore). I had the great pleasure of DJing for the group (as a guest bof the estimable Dudu Sarr) when they played Momo's in the summer. Momo's stage is so small, I had to share the DJ booth with the group's Cuban trumpeter!

I also felt more credit was due to 'Oba Train' from Portugal's Terrakota (more about them from me in the next issue of fRoots) & 'Tiklah Vs Axelrod' the debut album from Easy Star Allstars / Antibalas keyboard player Tiklah. Both have a global-reggae bounce to them that brings a smile to my face.

Cheers

Jamie

[Jamie Renton]

PS I gave 'Cafe Noir' a very positive review in Straight No Chaser magazine, so someone was singing it's praises at least.

[Chris P]

Bad timing Jonathan E ! I've had a bid sat on a mint copy for a week at Ebay. Another copy went with no bids some hours before mine was due to end - then your deservedly praising post, curse it, came in, and sure enough a little bidding war started which I didn't join in on. Congratulations to the SOTW forumista who's won it !
I look forward to hearing it in full in the future - a pleasure deferred etc

I'll join you in singing Papa Noel and Bana Congo's praises meanwhile !

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

That's great! I'm not alone! Straight No Chaser will be much missed, although I had rather drifted away from it over the past few years.

When one thinks of Papa Noel's history, he's one of the great survivors from the Golden Age!

I also like the Ticklah vs. Axelrod. Definitely in my Top 10 of 2007. I suspect I'll like Terrakota and will embark on immediate efforts to find Oba Train.

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

Bad timing Jonathan E ! I've had a bid sat on a mint copy for a week at Ebay. Another copy went with no bids some hours before mine was due to end - then your deservedly praising post, curse it, came in, and sure enough a little bidding war started which I didn't join in on.

Very sorry about that, Chris.

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

I also felt more credit was due to 'Oba Train' from Portugal's Terrakota (more about them from me in the next issue of fRoots)

And available via eMusic — but I have to wait until next month because I already used up my allowance this month. Oh, well.

[Gordon Neill]

For me, this year's Cinderella CD would have to be Aman Aman's "Música i Cants dels Jueus Sefardites d'Orient I". It got good reviews in both Songlines and fRoots, but I almost missed it amongst the plaudits for Tinariwen etc.... I know these things can be very subjective, but I am completely baffled why this hasn't feaured in any of the best-of-the-year lists that I've seen so far. As far as I'm concerned, it's right up there with Watina (although a completely different style of music), but it seems to be still sweeping the kitchen floor while other more gaudily-attired offerings go to the ball.......

[Jamie Renton]

When one thinks of Papa Noel's history, he's one of the great survivors from the Golden Age!

I interviewed him some years back for fRoots. A genuinely warm & friendly person, with one hell of a tale to tell!

[Gordon Neill]

See what I mean! You're still overlooking Aman Aman's "Música i Cants dels Jueus Sefardites d'Orient I".

[Dayna]

The Good, The Bad, andThe Queen

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

See what I mean! You're still overlooking Aman Aman's "Música i Cants dels Jueus Sefardites d'Orient I".

Actually, that one caught my ear on the Songlines CD — and I've looked for it a few times, but with no luck.

As for The Good, The Bad, And The Queen, that got a buzz as I recall when it came out, enough that I made the effort to hear it — and I hated it (and I try not to hate, I really do), although when I saw a cheapo used copy a week or so ago, I was tempted to buy it for another try. But Bim Sherman's Tribulation, The Rough Guide to Latin Funk, and The Brazilian Funk Experience, not to mention Kokolo's Love International won out in the battle for my cash. Sorry.

[Dayna]

That's ok. I know not everyone liked it.

[Chris P]

See what I mean! You're still overlooking Aman Aman's "Música i Cants dels Jueus Sefardites d'Orient I".

Fabulous album - one of the very tip top of the year ! And it was in the Froots poll, but not in the top 12

HMV online for £ 9.99 delivered is the best price I've been able to find. (It's dearer at amazon & marketplace so far).

[Chris P]

Bad timing Jonathan E ! I've had a bid sat on a mint copy for a week at Ebay. Another copy went with no bids some hours before mine was due to end - then your deservedly praising post, curse it, came in, and sure enough a little bidding war started which I didn't join in on.

Very sorry about that, Chris.

Thanks, no worries tho, it may just have been coincidence of course anyway. Good news: I managed to contact the seller of the earlier copy that attracted no bids and have bought that one. Papa Noel in time for Xmas (and his birthday of course).