Emotion
Studio album by
Papa Wemba
Released1995
StudioReal World Studios, Box, Wiltshire
Studio Guillaume Tell, Suresnes
Length38:16
LabelReal World[1]
ProducerStephen Hague
Papa Wemba chronology
Foridoles
(1994)		 Emotion
(1995)		 Pôle Position
(1995)

Emotion is an album by the Congolese singer Papa Wemba, released in 1995.[2][3] Wemba sang mostly in Lingala.[4]

The album peaked at No. 14 on Billboard's World Albums chart.[5] Wemba promoted the album by touring North America.[6]

Production

The album was produced by Stephen Hague.[7][8] "Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)", a duet with Juliet Roberts, is a cover of the Otis Redding song; Redding was Wemba's favorite singer.[9][10][11] Jean-Philippe Rykiel played keyboards on Emotion.[12] Wemba addresses racism on "Epelo", heartbreak on "Ah Ouais", and the dangers in the world on "Sala Keba".[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Calgary HeraldA[15]
Robert ChristgauA−[16]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]
Houston Press[17]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[8]

The Guardian wrote that "Wemba's singing is high, relaxed and fine as ever, whether he's tackling a synth-backed funky dance piece, or switching to a guitar-backed ballad."[13] Robert Christgau stated: "Piercing and penetrating without a hint of muezzin, he also commands a 'natural,' 'conversational' timbre richer and rangier than that of his more soft-sung Zairean colleagues.[16]

The Toronto Star noted that "soukous purists likely won't have it ... But terrific listening for everyone else."[18] The Calgary Herald determined that "the propulsive, rolling polyrythmic rhythms here owe as much to western pop as to Wemba's Zairean traditions."[15] The Houston Press concluded that "Hague insured that Wemba's vocals took center stage on each tune, turning down the driving African percussion just a notch."[17]

AllMusic wrote that "in mixing his unique brand of African soukous with various Western influences, Papa Wemba took a bold step into the international pop market already populated by Senegalese singing sensations Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal."[14]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Yolele"Lokua Kanza · Papa Wemba3:22
2."Mandola"Jacques Rouvier · Wemba3:49
3."Show Me the Way"Kanza · Wemba4:01
4."Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)"Otis Redding · Steve Cropper3:13
5."Rail On"Kanza · Wemba2:26
6."Shofele"Maika Munan · Wemba3:09
7."Image"Christian Polloni · Wemba4:20
8."Sala Keba (Be Careful)"Kanza · Wemba3:40
9."Awa Y' Okeyi (If You Go Away)"Kanza · Wemba1:55
10."Epelo"Polloni · Wemba4:02
11."Ah Ouais (Oh Yes)"Rouvier · Wemba4:19
Total length:38:16

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, Timothy Dean; Taylor, John D. (March 21, 1997). Global Pop: World Music, World Markets. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780415918725 – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ "Papa Wemba Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ White, Bob W. (June 27, 2008). Rumba Rules: The Politics of Dance Music in Mobutu's Zaire. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0822389262 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Daly, Mike (March 2, 1995). "Wemba brings consolation from Womad". The Age. Green Guide. p. 17.
  5. ↑ "Papa Wemba". Billboard.
  6. ↑ Gordon, Tom (June 18, 1995). "ZAIRE'S DAPPER, DANCING DUDE CLAIMS SOUTH AS AN INSPIRATION COME TO PAPA". The Birmingham News. p. 1F.
  7. ↑ Akyeampong, Emmanuel Kwaku; Gates (Jr.), Henry Louis (February 2, 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5 – via Google Books.
  8. 1 2 MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 806.
  9. ↑ Winders, J. (June 5, 2007). Paris Africain: Rhythms of the African Diaspora. Springer. ISBN 9780230602076 – via Google Books.
  10. ↑ Elder, Bruce (May 8, 1995). "Bubbling with sheer joy and energy - WORLD MUSIC". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Guide. p. 12.
  11. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 586.
  12. ↑ Levesque, Roger (25 June 1995). "Papa Wemba's emotional cries spring from deep in Zaire". Edmonton Journal. p. E1.
  13. 1 2 Denselow, Robin (17 Mar 1995). "World Music". The Guardian. p. T13.
  14. 1 2 "Emotion - Papa Wemba | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  15. 1 2 Tremblay, Mark (21 May 1995). "RECORDINGS". Calgary Herald. p. F1.
  16. 1 2 "Robert Christgau: CG: Papa Wemba". www.robertchristgau.com.
  17. 1 2 Torre, Olivia (May 25, 1995). "Sound Check". Houston Press. Music.
  18. ↑ "PAPA WEMBA Emotion". Toronto Star. 13 May 1995. p. J14.
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