Album Details: The Debut Album from Two French Sisters Les Nubians. Inspired by Public Enemy, De La Soul, Arrested Development, Soul Ii Soul, Les Nubians Are a New Breed of 'Afro-European' Style Hip-Hop and Soul. Features French Rappers MC Solaar and Mel Groove.
Amazon.com: This gorgeous pair of African princesses are the latest artists with Mother Continent roots--including Baaba Maal, Ray Lema, Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita, Zap Mama, and Angelique Kidjo--to infuse French music with the soul it would otherwise lack. Unlike those who cut their deep African funk with the cloying sugar of French pop, Helene and Celia Faussart, sisters from Bordeaux, don't give it all up to La Belle France. In clear, warmly intimate, and, yes, Parisian-sexy voices, they snake in and out of each other's way, often coming together to build glorious harmonies, always singing universally uplifting messages [translations in the CD booklet, except for their American-sounding English in "Sugar Cane"]. It's all set in clean-edged, ultrahip, sensitively calibrated tracks that draw on lush soul, steamy funk, beat-driven hip-hop and cool, flowing jazz. But this album is no pastiche of sounds looking to gobble up many demographics. Recorded in France and London, Princesses Nubiennes plays like an extended single--better yet, like a dreamy musical journey through the sounds of the modern-day African diaspora. --Elena Oumano
"Can you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?" Excellent CD, I do not know french, yet... But I will (smile). This CD is smooth and flowing.
Empress voices I love these girls! I really dig the tracks on this album. I loved hearing the version of 'Taboo' in French. Sade still holds my heart on this track, but to hear it in French is real nice! This album is a must, if you want to purchase one of Les Nubians cds, this is the one! Their vibe is amazing! For the price that it is, you've to get it!
Fantastic CD Rich, original, authentic music. Meaningful lyrics. Good musicians. These sisters nailed it with this CD.
LES NUBIANS TAKE US ON A WONDERFUL, FLOATING MUSICAL TRIP!! Five Incredible Stars!! Les Nubians, Helene and Celia Faussart from Bordeau France, sing mainly in French but, trust me, their music renders language completely inconsequential.You'll fall in love with their music anyway. Their voices are ethereal and sultry without being overtly sensuous, hip without being assertive. Perfect complements to each other as they spin solos, counterpoints, and dazzling unison phrases. Somewhat of a Sade-like spell is cast on some of their songs. As a matter of fact "Tabou" is a riff off of the Sade version of "Sweetest Taboo". Trust me, the French language never sounded so good !!
The beautiful music floats and spins on wonderful stop-time pedal points and is truly mesmerizing. The 'Pieces De Resistance' are the breathtaking "Makeda", "Tabou", "Princesse Nubienne", and "Si Je T'Avais Ecoute". This is groove music which is perfect for "Quiet Storm"-like smooth radio stations, but it is also works for any other listening occasion. Blessed with wonderful voices, it is just a pure pleasure to listen to these young ladies beguiling us, like they have been beguiling France and the rest of Europe for quite a while now. Highly recommended. Five Wonderful Stars!! (This review is based on a 15 track ITunes download.)
One of my Favorites I originally purchased this CD several years back after hearing Les Nubiens on a Putumayo compilation. It's still one of my favorites. The production is amazing. It's got a very modern hip vibe with strong jazz and African influences. Their version of Sade's Sweetest Taboo (Tabou) is absolutely amazing.
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