Iso (album)

Iso is an album by Ismaël Lô, released in 1994.[2][3] The album contains soft guitar melodies, and traditional Senegalese mbalax. It peaked in the top 10 on Billboard's World Albums chart.[4]

Iso
Studio album by
Ismaël Lô
Released26 July 1994
Recordedat Studio Harry Son, Paris, France
GenreMbalax
Length56:52
LabelMango[1]
ProducerIbrahima Sylla, Saidou Khalidou
Ismaël Lô chronology
Ismael Lo
(1990)		 Iso
(1994)		 Jammu Africa
(1996)

Production

The album was produced by Ibrahima Sylla and Saidou Khalidou.[5] It was recorded in Paris.[6]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]

Rolling Stone wrote that "Lo's trademark is a blend of spare guitars and ululating Islamic singing that trades lines with a moody, airy harmonica."[8] The Gazette determined that "the production is sweet and one or two tracks are catchy, but most of the emotion seems fabricated."[9] The Guardian noted: "Socially-aware songs and a lonesome harmonica have won him a 'Bob Dylan of Senegal' tag, but the title does scant honour to the beauty of his voice."[10]

AllMusic wrote that "the music moves ... from pure Afrobeat, on to piano-accompanied vocal work, vaguely in the vocal jazz/pop singer style."[7]

Track listing
  1. "Dibi Dibi Rek"
  2. "Nafantav"
  3. "Kasi Rap"
  4. "Rero"
  5. "Maseven"
  6. "EM-ZET"
  7. "VVO"
  8. "Baol Baol"
  9. "Naboou"
  10. "Nassarane"
  11. "Deep Soweto"
  12. "Chakka Dolla"
  13. "Khar"
  14. "Siya Shezi"

Notes and personnel information
  • Personnel: Ismael Lo (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Babacar Dieng, Awa Maiga, Isabella Gonzales, Myriam Betty (vocals); Ass Malick Diouf, Yves Njock, Roe (guitar); Patrick Papino, Alain Hato (saxophone); Giansserand (trumpet); Bolognesi (trombone); Pierre Michel Sivadier (piano); Ousmane Wade, Manu Lima (keyboards); Jean Bardy (contrebass); Samba Laobe Ndiaye, Tony Bonfils (bass); Youssou Camara, Brice Wassi (drums); El Hadj Faye (sabar); Samy Ateba (percussion); Ousmane Toure (background vocals).
  • Engineers: Philippe Brun, Alex Firla.
  • Principally recorded at Studio Harry Son, Paris, France.
  • All songs written or co-written by Lo.

References
  1. Lipp, Marty (4 May 1995). "African Pop That's Easy On the Western Ear". Newsday. p. B7.
  2. Dorian, Frederick; Duane, Orla; McConnachie, James (July 20, 1999). "World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
  3. "Ismaël Lô Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  4. "WORLD MUSIC ALBUMS". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. Billboard. 28 Oct 1994. p. 14.
  5. "Album reviews — Iso by Ismael Lo". Billboard. 106 (38): 66. Sep 17, 1994.
  6. Levesque, Roger (27 Nov 1994). "ISMAEL LO: iso". Edmonton Journal. p. C4.
  7. "Ismaël Lô - Iso Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  8. McLane, Daisann (Dec 29, 1994). "Global beat". Rolling Stone (698–699): 182.
  9. Feist, Daniel (5 Nov 1994). "ISMAEL LO Iso". The Gazette. p. E4.
  10. Spencer, Neil (7 Aug 1994). "Pop releases". The Observer Review Page. The Guardian.
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