Symphony-Bantu isn't a jazz album per se, and the African pop-oriented album was hardly recorded with jazz purists in mind. But much of guitarist/singer Vincent Nguini's Afro-pop does contain jazz elements. On electric guitar, Nguini sometimes goes for an airy sound that brings to mind Pat Metheny, and the eclectic CD employs such jazzmen as baritone saxman Ronnie Cuber, trumpeter Chris Botti and the extremely influential tenor sax hero Michael Brecker. While the instrumental "Abana" could be described as jazz fusion, most of Nguini's music falls under the heading of Afro-pop. A variety of influences can be heard on Symphony-Bantu -- everyone from Metheny and Weather Report to Nigerian innovator Fela Anikulapo-Kuti comes to mind, and Nguini's songs indicate that he has also listened to his share of R&B, Black gospel and Caribbean music. Not everything on the album is successful, but on the whole, Symphony-Bantu makes for enjoyable, unpredictable listening. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Tracks
Track Title
Composers
Performers
Time
Moyo
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(5:35)
Mavro
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(6:08)
Passion
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(4:50)
Tara (To Sebuabey)
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(4:16)
Symphony-Bantu
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(6:44)
Waka Waka
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(6:02)
Abana
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(5:20)
Juju
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(5:15)
Obala (Message to Esther)
Vincent Nguini
Vincent Nguini
(5:44)
Credits
Ray Allen (Sax (Tenor)), Vincent Nguini (Bass), Sourbou Marcel (Percussion), Chris Botti (Vocals), Vincent Nguini (Keyboards), John Long (Percussion), Mike Davies (Trombone), Julia Waters (Vocals (Background)), Ronnie Cuber (Sax (Baritone)), Kent Smith (Trumpet), Oliva (Percussion), Michael Odee (Percussion), Paul Tchounga (Percussion), Vincent Nguini (Producer), Guy Waku (Vocals (Background)), Nguini (Percussion), Andy Snitzer (Sax (Tenor)), Kevin Smith (Trumpet), Vincent Nguini (Guitar), Kofi Adu (Keyboards), Steve Blaum (Percussion), Paul Tchounga (Drums), Oren Waters (Vocals (Background)), Josh Levi (Piano), Vincent Nguini (Mixing), Nguini (Guitar), Nguini (Bass), Fofo Lakata (Vocals (Background)), Vincent Nguini (Percussion), Maxine Willard Waters (Vocals), Nguini (Vocals), Tony Eichler (Mixing), Nguini (Keyboards), Julia Tillman Waters (Vocals (Background)), Michael Brecker (Sax (Tenor)), Juanito Oliva (Percussion), Dave Fairall (Sax (Soprano)), Vincent Nguini (Vocals), Vincent Nguini (Arranger), Maxine Willard Waters (Vocals (Background))
