Search - Orchestre National De Barbes :: Poulina

A stunning amalgam

WaltSnipe | Austin, Tx United States | 07/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. This CD just knocks me out,especially since the live album, while interesting, doesn't come close to capturing the energy and tight ensemble playing of this incredible band (the converse is usually true of live albums). The production is top-notch, and the wide variety of music simply bristles with electricity. Standouts are hard to name, but "Poulina" has a great, almost-reggae groove mixed with outstanding massed vocal harmonies. "Lemouima" may be the best track...an exotic slice of the desert that belongs on any dance mix tapes/CDs. "Nabina" is a (too) short piece that features wonderful vocal harmonies that almost echo Gregorian chant. Barbes is the African expatriot suburb of Paris, and the band was formed from the incredible array of musicians found there. This brings in a truly enormous variety of North African influences to the CD, captured with spot-on production and hinting at French influences (presumably both from the Parisian location and from the long-standing French presence in North Africa and its influence on music there). Traditional instruments mix with great horn charts, kit drums, electric bass, mandolin, and keyboards to form a wonderful synthesis that is exactly what is interesting and unifying about world music.I can't wait for the next release from these guys. I'd love to see them live, but what are the odds of them coming to Austin, Texas....?Buy this CD!"

What a stunning range!

Derek Thorne | East York, Ontario Canada | 02/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am eternally grateful to my brother for introducing me to this exuberant, versatile, multi-talented group. The flavour of the tracks goes from reggae -- solid, non-cheesy reggae -- through various Arabic forms popular and traditional, even stopping in for some funk-rock on Lemouima. It sounds like they've assimilated influences from Brazil and the Caribbean too, but everything is so skilfully arranged and played that it holds together completely on its own.If all the musicians aren't heavyweights, the superb production sure makes them sound like it. This album is brilliant, and more fun each time I listen to it."