The Message (Alpha Yaya Diallo album)

The Message is an album by the Guinean-born Canadian musician Alpha Yaya Diallo.[2] It was independently released in Canada in 1998, with an international release in 1999.[3][4] The Message won a Juno Award, in the "Best Global Album" category.[5] Diallo supported the album with a Canadian tour.[6]

The Message
Studio album by
Alpha Yaya Diallo
Released1998
LabelWicklow[1]
ProducerKevin Finseth
Alpha Yaya Diallo chronology
Futur
(1996)		 The Message
(1998)		 The Journey
(2001)

Production

Produced by Kevin Finseth, the album was written and recorded in Vancouver, Canada.[7][3] Diallo sang in Fula, Susu, Maninka, and French.[8] His guitar playing was influenced by George Benson and Mark Knopfler.[9] "Kakande" is an instrumental.[10]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Robert ChristgauA–[12]
The Gazette8.5/10[13]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[7]

The Austin Chronicle wrote that "Diallo's vox isn't quite as distinct as that of Baaba Maal or Youssou N'Dour, but that permits Diallo ... to do something those West African international superstars can't: serve up potent harmony vocals as in the blistering, syncopated Latin rhythm of 'Amour'."[14] Robert Christgau opined that "somehow this Guinéean guitarist-vocalist parses the link between pan-African beatsmanship and world-music eternal return."[12]

Newsday noted that "Diallo's lyrics articulate his bittersweet yearning for the tattered ties and scuffed dignity of his embattled homeland."[15] The Ottawa Citizen called the album "an energetic fusion of the traditional Manding and Foulah guitar rhythms with modern funk and jazz."[16] The Gazette praised Diallo's "increasingly refined songwriting, singing, guitar playing and percussion."[13]

AllMusic deemed Diallo "a master musician, playing guitar, bass, and percussion as he leads his razor-sharp ensemble through an exhilarating nine-song set."[11] The Cape Cod Times listed The Message as the fifth best CD of 1999.[17]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Fissiriwaly" 
2."Badenma" 
3."Faybhe" 
4."Kakande" 
5."Duniya" 
6."Africa" 
7."Amour" 
8."Fatumata Diallo" 
9."Vancouver Venez Voir" 

References
  1. "New World". CMJ New Music Report. 57 (608): 32. Mar 8, 1999.
  2. Woodard, Josef. "Alpha Yaya Diallo: The Message". JazzTimes.
  3. Fletcher, Gavin (30 June 1998). "Diallo's work among best West Coast has to offer". Times Colonist. News. p. 1.
  4. Harrison, Tom (16 Feb 1999). "Concerts herald world music". The Province. p. B2.
  5. Muretich, James (8 Mar 1999). "Dion wins five in evening marred by no-shows, glitches". Calgary Herald. p. B8.
  6. Chiose, Simona (24 Apr 1999). "African guitarist plays sounds of the diaspora". The Globe and Mail. p. C8.
  7. MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 217.
  8. Krewen, Nick (8 Apr 1999). "Great tunes to Go!". The Record. Waterloo. p. D6.
  9. Levesque, Roger (27 Apr 1999). "'You have to share what you know'; Guitarist remembers his African friends". Edmonton Journal. p. C2.
  10. Andrews, Marke (25 July 1998). "WORLD MUSIC". Vancouver Sun. p. C5.
  11. "Alpha Yaya Diallo - Message Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  12. "Alpha Yaya Diallo". Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  13. Feist, Daniel (29 Apr 1999). "WORLDBEAT". The Gazette. p. C13.
  14. "Alpha YaYa Diallo The Message (Wicklow)". www.austinchronicle.com.
  15. Lipp, Marty (14 Mar 1999). "WORLD MUSIC". Newsday. p. D28.
  16. "Diallo won Juno for album". Ottawa Citizen. 15 Apr 1999. p. F2.
  17. O'Neill, Bill (December 30, 1999). "The best CDs of 1999". Cape Cod Times.
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