Album Description: Japanese edition of the French/African pop duo's 2003 album includes the first single, 'Temperature Rising', featuring Talib Kweli. 15 tracks in all. Copy Control CD. Virgin.
Amazon.com: After guest appearances on Guru and Talib Kweli, as well as the Red Hot + Riot collection, Les Nubians finally return with the follow-up to 1998’s Princesses Nubiennes, the most popular French language album stateside in more than a decade. One Step Forward has the same Sade-meets-Zap Mama soul groove vibe that sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart are known for, but the duo adds a few new wrinkles to the mix this time around. There’s a distinct reggae influence to songs "El Son Raggae" and "Brothers & Sisters," which features Morgan Heritage. Even though their voices are as sassy and sexy as ever, they sing a bit more in English, but French language gems "Amour A Mort" and "J’Veux D’la Musique," two of the album’s strongest tracks, need little translation. For the most part though, One Step Forward is more self assured and richly textured, nicely refining a winning formula that will no doubt enchant the many fans of its predecessor. --Tad Hendrickson
Another hit I love this album, it is just as good as the first, albeit different, more global even. I am happy the sisters continue to sing in their native French. The melodies are haunting, Amour a mort, Saravah, Insomnie, Que Le Mot Soit Perle and La Guerre stand out. Saravah is especially haunting, love the samba rythym, if anyone knows what the man at the end in saying in Portuguese, or where i can find the words to that in Portuguese, it would be greatly appreciated
Cette excellent! Les Nubians are French/Cameroonian sibling duo Célia and Hèléne Faussart. This is the follow up to their 1998 debut `Princesses Nubiennes', and following appearances on numerous CDs like the Fela Kuti tribute `Red Hot & Riot', `Bridging the gap' by the Black Eyed Peas, and `Streetsoul' by Guru to name a few.
They have a laid back tropical sound, which is a loose hybrid of neo soul, Jazz, African, and hip hop, sort of like Sade. As colourful and ornate as the markings on their faces on the CD photos. They usually sing in English, French and some Cameroonian language.
The soothing `J'veux d'la musique (tout le temps...)' is a prime example; soft and lilting with beautiful vocal harmonizing from the duo. Performed in French.
Lead off single is the sunny sounding `Temperature rising' sung in English and featuring a stylish rap from Talib Kweli.
The pair of `El son reggae' and `Brothers & Sisters' are reggae songs, the latter featuring reggae group Morgan Heritage (great voices) and flowing freely from French to English. A very bubbly catchy tune about brotherly love and giving thanks to the Almighty for His many gifts to us. Excellent guitar work and harmonizing. One of my favourites. Beautiful!
`Me & me' is really African sounding; the percussion, guitars, and the vocals in English, French, and some Cameroonian tongue. Very joyous sounding!
`Que le mot soit perle' is another standout. A delicate, lilting, tropical sounding song in French with a jazz feel, and all manner of drums tapped all over.
`Saravah' is another light breezy with a male voice adding spoken vocals here and there. Sung in French.
Closing 8 minute track `Immortel Cheikh Anta Diop' is a stunning piece; Half spoken/half sung in French, delicate percussion, a magical chorus with a dreamy feel, flutes drifting in and out, and tinklings of marimba played by Manu Dibango. Everything about this song is perfect.
What can I say?? A brilliant sophomore effort and I look forward to much more from these ladies.
A few steps forward If you enjoyed Les Nubians' Princesses Nubiennes, I cannot imagine how you could possibly not fall into the same mode with the follow up, One Step Forward. Even two years after its release, these ladies retain a zesty freshness with soft jazzy beats that take the listener to a completely new level with every play! As they did before, they alternate evenly between French and English, doing it so well it is easy to forget you may not know exactly what they're saying. What's even more intriguing is their ability to draw attention so effortlessly with pure vocals accompanied by funk and soul music. I can understand one mistaking the smoothness as boring, but one who appreciates the new sound blend that will last into the future, should check this one out! "La Guerre", "One Step Forward" and "Amour a Mort" are fantastic!
beautiful and innovative sounds from beautiful voices... Les Nubians' sophomore effort did not fail to bring the same level of musical sophistication, sensitivity and haunting harmonies that the first album, "Les Princesses Nubiennes," was full of.
These two lovely and talented sisters take us on a tour of a cross-section of different sounds from various countries and cultures. They sing in French, Spanish and English, and feature hip hop, R&B, cuban son, reggae and Euro-pop in their music. Some of my favorite songs are "Temperature Rising" (featuring Talib Kweli), which blends hip hop with R&B and is very catchy, "El Son Reggae," which features a fusion of reggae and latin beats while the sisters sing in French and also dabble in Spanish, "Me & Me," which has a very folksy, poppy and melodious quality, and "Que Le Mot Soit Perle," which is just beautiful and very acoustic.
It is a shame these beautiful singers don't get more play time on the radio. I am sure it is hard to determine what category their music falls under. They are fusion of so many international sounds and styles. I really think that more people should take the time to get to know them, though!
Oui! Les Nubians' "One Step Forward" is a gumbo mix of underground soul, funky jazz, and dashes of reggae--with a welcome French twist. Featuring the vocals of sisters Helene and Celia Faussart, the CD is a seductive journey through many moods and textures. I'll be the first to admit that my French has been rusty since high school (some songs have French lyrics, others in English), but that didn't stop me from appreciating this disc's many riches. The tracks "Brothers and Sisters" and "El Son Reggae" are lively and deeply rooted in old school reggae, and "Que le Mot Soit Perle" is a quietly elegant number that stands out mainly due to its welcome touches of acoustic guitar and light percussion. Other points of interest are the 8 minute closer, the pretty "Immortel Cheikh Anta Diop" and the laid-back groove of "Unfaithful/Si Infidele." While some may call "One Step Forward" an attempt to make the duo more "accessible" to American listeners, I did find it an overall solid effort. Tres bien!
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