Search - Henri Dikongue :: Wa

Henri Dikongué made his worldwide mark with 1998's C'est la Vie, an album of gentle sophistication and sweet pop grooves. He comes from Cameroon but his music is an amalgam of West African folk, reggae, and Parisian pop; a worldly mix that is light and airy, reminiscent of Cesaria Evora or the easygoing side of Tropicalia in Brazil. A gorgeous, high-toned voice with a strong vibrato and an acoustic guitar dominate the whole sound, with flutes, saxophone, and percussion acting more as a cushion than as a strong component of the music. This album, originally released in Europe in 1995, has a slightly better edge than the more recent C'est la Vie, with some stronger vocal deliveries and a bit more groove to it, but either recording would be highly recommend for listeners looking for a little respite from "the big beat" of makossa, soukous, and other more popular styles from Africa. --Louis Gibson