CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
Three albums into this world-class popmeister’s American career, his U.S. debut begins to seem like the compromise purists claimed it was—not because it’s too American, but because it’s not American enough. Now when I want something subtly polypercussive I’ll choose Nigerian LPs like The Message or Bobby rather than Juju Music.
CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
KING SUNNY ADE
AND HIS AFRICAN BEATS
“Aura”
(Island)
Three albums into this world-class popmeister’s American career, his U.S. debut begins to seem like the compromise purists claimed it was—not because it’s too American, but because it’s not American enough. Now when I want something subtly polypercussive I’ll choose Nigerian LPs like The Message or Bobby rather than Juju Music. And when I want a heavier, hookier groove I’ll pull out Synchro System—or more likely, this one. With Martin Meisonnier back behind glass and Stevie Wonder’s earthbound harmonica on native ground, it’s every bit as consistent as The Message and—by (Afro-) American standards— considerably more propulsive. At times it’s even obvious, regular. Next time I assume they’ll go all out for a dance-chart hit. And I can’t wait to hear it. A
JOHN ANDERSON “Eye Of The Hurricane”
(Warner Bros.)