Name: Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take) by Youssou N'dour
Brand: Youssou N'Dour
SKU: 075597997446
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 3 (77 reviews)

ALBUM

Like his last two releases for Nonesuch, 2002's Nothing's in Vain and 2004's stunning Egypt, Youssou N'Dour's Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take) is a glistening, polished work that perpetuates the singer's recurring role as one of Africa's greatest gifts to music. Where Egypt was something of a side trip for N'Dour, a tribute to his Sufi faith, Rokku Mi Rokka takes on more of a mainstream melodic pop sheen, with an eye toward the northern desert country for inspiration. N'Dour, in addition to using his regular musicians, reunites here with members of his early-career Super Etoile de Dakar band as well as other players with whom he's been comfortable for years (gotta love Ali Farka Touré sideman Bassekou Kouyate on the four-stringed n'goni), so the results are familiar and the groove locked in tight. Neneh Cherry, who performed a duet with N'Dour on 1994's hit "7 Seconds," returns for a rap on the album-closing mbalax-funk anthem "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)," which implores the Western world to stop taking Africa for granted and look to the continent for positive vibrations. The opening track, "4-4-44," is a celebration of 44 years of Senegal's independence, bathed in driving, repetitive keyboard riffs, a persistent rhythmic punch, and a midsong horn blast that provides a sudden Memphis-esque R&B kick. As always, much of N'Dour's songwriting addresses tradition and its role in an Africa struggling toward modernization. There are songs of love and songs of politics and spirit. "Tukki" is little more than a simple paean to the joys of traveling, and "Xel" exhorts humans to do the obvious: use their brains and think. But then there's "Sportif," with its drum lick right out of a New Orleans second-line march, whose sole purpose is to remind countrymen that there's no need to take it personally if a favorite wrestler loses a match -- it's only a sport. Go figure. Nonetheless, Youssou N'Dour is never less than thoughtful and intriguing, and his voice is never less than gripping. Rokku Mi Rokka is another gem from an artist who has come to define the African music renaissance. ~ Jeff Tamarkin

1. 4-4-44

by Youssou N'dour

Acoustic Guitar: Guy Kaye & Omar Sow; Performer
Arranger: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Composer
Drums: Abdoulaye Lo & Alain Berge; Performer
Keyboard: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Performer
Lead Guitar: Mamadou Mbaye; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Musician: Bassikou Kouyate; Performer
Percussion: Babacar Faye & Steve Shehan; Performer
Programmer: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Production
Rhythm Guitar: Pape Oumar Ngom; Performer
Saxophone: Thierno Koite; Performer
Trombone: Wilfrid Zinsou; Performer
Trumpet: Ibrahima Konate; Performer
Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Composer: Yuossou N'dour/kabou Guèye; Composer

2. Pullo Àrdo

by Youssou N'dour

Bass: Habib Faye; Performer
Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Drums: Alain Berge; Performer
Guitar: Guy Kaye, Mody Ba, Omar Sow
Guy Kaye; Performer
Keyboard: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Musician: Massire Drame; Performer
Percussion: Massaer Mbaye "thio" & Steve Sehan; Performer
Arranger: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Composer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/mody Ba/kabou Guèye; Composer
Programmer: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Production
Mody Ba: Guy Kaye; Other
Omar Sow: Guy Kaye; Other

3. Sama Gàmmu

by Youssou N'dour

Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Omar Sow; Performer
Background Vocals: Ousmane Gangue; Performer
Bass: Omar Sow; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Musician: Bassikou Kouyate; Performer
Percussion: Massaer Mbaye "thio" & Steve Sehan; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/mody Ba/kabou Guèye; Composer

4. Bàjjan

by Youssou N'dour

Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Bass: Ibrahima Cisse; Performer
Drums: Abdoulaye Lo; Performer
Keyboard: Prince Ibrahima N'dour
Moustapha Faye; Performer
Lead Guitar: Mamadou Mbaye; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Marimba: Moustapha Faye; Performer
Musician: Assane Thiam; Performer
Percussion: Babacar Faye; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Pape Oumar Ngom; Performer
Vocals: N'deye Marie "gawlo" N'diaye; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/kabou Gueye; Composer

5. Baay Faal

by Youssou N'dour

Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Les Femmes Maure De Xourou Naar; Performer
Guitar: Guy Kaye, Mody Ba, Omar Sow
Guy Kaye; Performer
Keyboard: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Musician: Assane Thiam
Bassikou Kouyate; Performer
Percussion: Massaer Mbaye "thio" & Steve Sehan; Performer
Arranger: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Composer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/mody Ba/kabou Guèye; Composer
Programmer: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Production
Mody Ba: Guy Kaye; Other
Omar Sow: Guy Kaye; Other

6. Sportif

by Youssou N'dour

Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Penda Sarr; Performer
Bass: Habib Faye; Performer
Drums: Alain Berge; Performer
Guitar: Guy Kaye, Mody Ba, Omar Sow, Papa Oumar Ngom
Guy Kaye; Performer
Keyboard: Prince Ibrahima N'dour
Moustapha Faye; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Marimba: Moustapha Faye; Performer
Musician: Assane Thiam
Bassikou Kouyate; Performer
Percussion: Massaer Mbaye "thio" & Steve Sehan; Performer
Arranger: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Composer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/mody Ba/kabou Guèye; Composer
Mody Ba: Guy Kaye; Other
Omar Sow: Guy Kaye; Other
Papa Oumar Ngom: Guy Kaye; Other

7. Tukki

by Youssou N'dour

Acoustic Guitar: Omar Sow; Performer
Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Bass: Habib Faye; Performer
Drums: Babacar Faye; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Musician: Assane Thiam; Performer
Percussion: Babacar Faye
Steve Sehan; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Assane Cisse; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/mody Ba/kabou Guèye; Composer

8. Létt ma

by Youssou N'dour

Background Vocals: Penda Sarr; Performer
Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Bass: Habib Faye; Performer
Drums: Alain Berge; Performer
Guitar: Guy Kaye, Mody Ba, Omar Sow
Guy Kaye; Performer
Keyboard: Moustapha Faye
Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Marimba: Moustapha Faye; Performer
Musician: Assane Thiam
Bassikou Kouyate; Performer
Percussion: Massaer Mbaye "thio" & Steve Sehan; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/mody Ba/kabou Guèye; Composer
Mody Ba: Guy Kaye; Other
Omar Sow: Guy Kaye; Other

9. Dabbaax

by Youssou N'dour

Acoustic Guitar: Omar Sow; Performer
Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Bass: Omar Sow; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Musician: Bassikou Kouyate; Performer
Percussion: Massaer Mbaye "thio" & Steve Sehan; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/kabou Gueye; Composer

10. Xel

by Youssou N'dour

Background Vocals: Penda Sarr, Rudolph Gomis, Balla Sidibe, Assane Mboup
Penda Sarr; Performer
Bass: Habib Faye; Performer
Drums: Alain Berge; Performer
Guitar: Guy Kaye & Omar Sow; Performer
Keyboard: Moustapha Faye
Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Performer
Lead Guitar: Mamadou Mbaye; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N´dour; Performer
Marimba: Moustapha Faye; Performer
Musician: Assane Thiam; Performer
Percussion: Massaer "thio" Mbaye & Thio Mbaye Percussion Group; Performer
Arranger: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Composer
Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Pape Oumar Ngom; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/max Calo/kabou Guèye; Composer
Programmer: Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Production
Assane Mboup: Penda Sarr; Other
Balla Sidibe: Penda Sarr; Other
Rudolph Gomis: Penda Sarr; Other

11. Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)

by Youssou N'dour

Primary Artist: Youssou N'dour; Main Performer
Bass: Habib Faye; Performer
Drums: Abdoulaye Lo; Performer
Guitar: Omar Sow; Performer
Keyboard: Moustapha Faye
Prince Ibrahima N'dour; Performer
Lead Vocals: Youssou N'dour&neneh Cherry; Performer
Marimba: Moustapha Faye; Performer
Musician: Ndemba Kanoute; Performer
Percussion: Babacar Faye; Performer
Saxophone: Thierno Seydou Koite; Performer
Trombone: Wilfred; Performer
Trumpet: Ibrahima Konate; Performer
Composer: Youssou N'dour/neneh Cherry/matt Kent/cameron Mcvey; Composer
Producer: Cirkus; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

46 minutes and 38 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1425x1425 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

9/11 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

5/11 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Africa, World, Worldwide, Rock, African, Afro-Pop, Worldbeat, Afropop

Label

Nonesuch

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United States

Language

Wolof
English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 29, 2007

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

75597997446

Shopping cart

Notification

Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take)