Boomrang

by

Daara J

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I heard this CD on the NPR show "The World" (a fabulous source for new world music) and was immediately interested (http://www.theworld.org/globalhits/2004/12/10.shtml). This has turned out to be one of my favorite W. African music collections. The beats are fabulous and catchy (even 14-year olds in rural Vermont were impressed with the music even though they couldn't understand a single word!). They sing in French, Woolof (a Senegalese dialect) and English and even though you might not understand the lyrics (the liner notes contain only selected verses from the songs) it's still an incredible CD. The speed with which the singers rap in any language is extremely impressive (especially on the track "Boomerang") and it had me captured in the first 30 seconds. He flies with his lyrics and you can't help but find yourself bopping your head and tapping your foot (I know, sounds cheezy!). I also love the song "Esperanza," which is very different because of its jazzier sound (and some lyrics in Spanish). Although Daara J sounds like and looks like your typical American rappers, the values and messages in their lyrics are not just about babes and bling. In their song "Paris-Dakar" they say that Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is more boubou than bling-bling, making reference to the traditional loose-fitting outfit, the boubou, that most Senegalese wear. It's hard to articulate precisely what I love most about this album, but it will forever remain as a playlist on my iPod. If you are interested in either rap/hip-hop or world music, this is a must-have in your collection. I will be looking for more music from Daara J and will keep up with them from now on.

Be warned that this is one of those CDs that will only play in the proprietary player that comes bundled with the CD--you can't listen to it via WinAmp, Real Player, Windows Media Player, Musicmatch Jukebox, or whatever your prefered computer music software happens to be. Unfortunately, the compulsory bundled player is pretty crummy--songs keep cutting out and "sticking," just for a second but certainly enough to impair enjoyment if you're listening to the CD on your computer. I wish I had noticed this before I bought.

Since I mostly listen to music on my iPod, if I can't play it there (and if I have to suffer inferior quality on my computer), this is a purchase I now regret, despite my enthusiasm for Daara J.