[.ca] C'est La Vie

From Amazon.com:
Don't mistake Dikongué's music for the Afro Beat sounds of makossa, the national pop music of his home, Cameroon. He holds a musical ethic much closer to Pierre Akendengue or Francis Bebey--one where poetry and mood prevail over groove and danceability. This guitarist has integrated not only the Afro-Parisian sound, but allows Latin, Caribbean, and other regions of Africa to flow naturally into his compositions and playing style. It all seems effortless, almost breezy, but there is an underlying poetic complexity that makes the music almost impossible to ignore. Even the "dance tracks" have a suave sophistication and worldliness, a loveliness that is almost unknown to most fans of "African" music. The songs here modulate between simple solo guitar and voice ballads to fuller bands with violin, kit drums, and bass, occasionally allowing even some brass to insinuate itself into the mix. There are one or two saccharine moments, but the intrusion is minimal. Dikongué's sweet, quavering voice and direct acoustic guitar are always front and center, delivering the goods direct to the heart first, and the feet after. --Louis Gibson

all the world's a sunny day:
I acquired this CD more or less by accident, discovering it at a record store sound station in the world music section. I immediately loved the easy-going, colorful songs and joyful sound of Henri Dikongue's voice. They represent for me what is enjoyable about so many West African performers and the rhythms and instrumentation of their music. After listening to this CD several times, I realized that both singer and songs remind me somewhat of Paul Simon in what I think of as his "Kodachrome" period. The songs are upbeat, bright, and cheerful, and they have an engaging way of insisting that "all the world's a sunny day." I've listened to this CD many, many times and have never grown tired of a single cut on it. It's a rich musical offering for both ear and heart. A companion African pop artist whose work I've found equally accessible is Kanda Bongo Man from Congo.

WHAT A JOY!:
This cd represents everything that I love about African music -- the energy, the instrumentation, the absolute beauty of Dikongue's voice. The arrangements are wonderful -- bouyant but not too heavy -- and carry the listener along so effortlessly that the cd is over before you know it (but it's a generous near-60 minute journey). I missed him when he came to Austin last year -- a big disappointment for me, but maybe I'll see him next time. If you enjoy ANY aspect of African music, you owe it yourself to check this out. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Speaking in Universal Tongues:
One can best appreciate the universality of music when listening to artists who sing in a language that one does not understand. One can focus on the sensuality of the voice as another instrument in the arrangement, and bask in the enveloping images. Rarely have I heard a recording that makes this more possible than "C'est La Vie". Dikongue has produced a work of brash introspection and curiously raw sophistication, meticulous simplicity and placid bounciness, if any of this makes sense. It doesn't so much make me dance as sway and just generally groove. The songwriting, melodies, arrangements and production are all far superior to and intimate than his other currently available works. With an understanding that this CD is a consistent effort with no weak links, the strongest cuts are "Ndol'asu" with its swinging rhythms and violins, "Na Tem Ite Idiba", the memorable melody and group vocals of "Na Teleye Owa Ngea", the soaring "We Nde Mba", and "Francoise". If you like world music but would prefer a sample that accentuates the internal beat of the soul while still swinging, "C'est La Vie" is worth many listens.

Lively and Fun:
This CD always brings my mood up by many points. It is something different!

Joyful Acoustic African Music:
This CD is sweet, lilting, uplifting, joyful, soulful. The backbone is acoustic guitar and vocals, with a gentle groove. Dikongue's voice is intimate and enchanting. This is a real gem that will put a smile on your face and a lift in your step as you go through your day...

• Ndutu
• Ndol'asu
• C'Est la Vie
• Na Tem Ité Idiba
• Na Teleye Owa Ngea
• We Nde Mba
• Bulu Bo Windi Tenge
• Francoise
• Mumi
• Wen Te Mba Wenge
• Doula