Amazones power

"The origins of Les Amazones D'Afrique date back to 2014 when the first incarnation of the now shapeshifting collective was formed by three long-established Malian female musicians, Mamani Keïta, Oumou Sangaré and Mariam Doumbia. Their agenda was simple - to use music to drive social change and increase awareness of issues that adversely affected African women ... The release of their debut album République Amazone in 2017 saw them recruit the likes of Angélique Kidjo to contribute vocals and the collaborative, freely-associating nature of the group is further extended on second album Amazones Power ... It's a powerful demand for equality and respect on behalf of African women and sees them address issues such as misogyny, female genital mutilation and forced marriage. Their message is obviously the most important aspect to their music and the voices on display here convey it engagingly however the album has much to offer musically as well".

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"New voices bring fresh new perspectives to all-woman powerhouse supergroup L'Amazones d'Afrique on their bold sophomore release Amazones Power ... Niariu, a Paris-based artist with Guinean Fulani roots (...) is one of the newest members of Les Amazones. Joining her as new recording members of the collective are rising Malian rapper Ami Yerewolo, Algerian chaabi singer Nacera Ouali Mesbah (whose usual genre is one typically dominated by men), Beninese vocalist Fafa Ruffino, Ivorian vocalist Kandy Guira, and Nyokõ Bokbaē members Boy Fall and Jon Grace. Returning are Mamani Keïta and Rokia Koné, who split the lion's share of lead parts but make plenty of space for their new counterparts to invigorate the album in new ways ... Once again, Les Amazones d'Afrique are essential voices bringing bold truths and much-needed perspectives to the world. The new directions and elements they embrace on Amazones Power show that the group has potentially endless longevity and versatility".

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"Oprindeligt bestod gruppen af en stribe verdensnavne fra fortrinsvis Mali. De spillede blandt andet til WOMAD, hvor overskuddet gik til Panzi Foundation, der giver lægebehandling til kvindelige ofre for seksuel vold eller omskæring i DR Congo ... Nu er amazonerne tilbage. De store stjerner er væk, og tilbage er en homogen gruppe af en ny generation af stjerner, der funkler overbevisende. Og deres nye plade, produceret af Doctor L alias Liam Farrell, der stod bag Congotronics-serien med gadekunstnere fra Kinshasa, er klart bedre end den foregående ... Det er lykkedes at skabe et slagkraftigt album, hvor de meget forskellige kunstnere virkelig komplementerer hinanden. Fælles for alle er en forbløffende professionalisme og en vis amerikanisering, som er ny i den ellers frankofile region ... 'Amazones Power' er en sensation af et moderne afrikansk udråbstegn. Amazonernes kommende turné, hvor de blandt andet spiller på Roskilde Festival, kan ikke blive andet end fabelagtig. Men hør først pladen! Den evner det umuliges kunst ved at vise, at man sagtens kan introducere mange forskellige artister og stadig skabe et homogent værk, simpelthen fordi samtlige medvirkende fyrer alt af på en måde, der er beundringsværdig. Dertil tak til Real World, som igen formidler toppen af verdensmusik".

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"Now comes that tricky second album, again mixed Congotronics-style by French-Irish producer Dr L, whose sonic chicanery tends to displease traditionalists, which isn't a bad thing. This sophomore effort exceeds its predecessor, with a caveat: welcoming two young male vocalists (Boy Fall and Jon Grace) into the fold is fine - both are on-message - but to have them feature as the opening track (...) on an album billed as a feminist paean feels clunky ... The collective's newest members shine, notably Algerian chaabi singer Nacera Ouali Mesbah, a visceral force on 'Rebels' ... The record's heavyweight themes (...) are reinforced by low-end bass and sci-fi electronics that judder and groove like the engine of some great African mothership".