Jal, Emmanuel & Abdel Gadir Salim – Ceasefire (Riverboat Records)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 9/27/05
Appealing Arabic rhythm & hip hop collaboration between a Christian rapper from southern Sudan and a Moslem singer from northern Sudan, celebrating the fragile peace finally existing in the region. Sung and rapped mostly in Nuer and Arabic with bits in English and Dinka, it’s really pretty – even the rapper’s voice caresses more than cuts. Lyrics are translated in the booklet and worth a read; most are about the importance of peace, and these guys have good reason to dwell on the subject. Music is very easy on the ears; basically all mid-tempo with Sudanese rhythms provided by hand drums, lovely vocals well suited to subject matter. Sweet, sweet stuff.
No FCCs in any language. Tracks 8 and 6 are probably my favorites, but they’re absolutely all wonderful – only down side to any track is that 5 takes a long time to get up to speed.
1. *laid-back hand drums with orchestration from keyboards, sweet-voiced rap, female chorus “Aiwa” (“yes” in Arabic), flutes.
2. cool “thumb piano” intro, jazzy rhythm, catchy chorus
3. full-bodied hand drums, interesting combo of sax and accordion, lovely singing (“hello Peace” in Arabic)
4. male call and response chorus, rap celebrating the story of a girl who ran away from an arranged marriage, got an education and became a success
5. very traditional sound of Arabic music, prominent oud. Hand drums don’t come in until almost 2 minutes into song, which makes for a long intro. No rapping
6. **cool hip hop beat, big chorus, lots of whoops, song all about what it will be like to really have peace. One verse is in English, and beautiful.
7. hand drums and accordion predominate
8. **bouncing hip hop beat, some girls rap in English as well as the main rapping and singing in several languages, great sound. Long fade.
9. great hand drums, accordion in front of mix, lovely singing
10. *bouncy traditional beat, nice bit in English of Salim asking Jal to sing (he talks instead; he’s the talker).