Right now, this dour world needs a heavy “feel good” dose of Angélique Kidjo’s infectious joy, her get-up-and-dance attitude, and her ability to bridge cultures. The Benin (West Africa) artist that the former Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director, Christian McBride, described as an entertainer tantamount to James Brown and Prince, gives it her all on this double album, HOPE!!
This is an album loaded with high-profile guests making a big statement, and it doesn’t matter that some songs are not sung in English. Genre is as fluid as a Kidjo performance. AfroBeat, Afro-pop, and highlife meet American R&B and jazz like congenial, like-minded strangers shaking hands or sharing a warm embrace.
Few, if any, can bring the unbridled joy that…

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us

« »