Iso (album) explained

Iso
Type:	Album
Artist:	Ismaël Lô
Cover:	Ismaël Lô - Iso.jpg
Released:	26 July 1994
Recorded:	at Studio Harry Son, Paris, France
Genre:	Mbalax
Length:	56:52
Label:	Mango^[1]
Producer:	Ibrahima Sylla, Saidou Khalidou
Prev Title:	Ismael Lo
Prev Year:	1990
Next Title:	Jammu Africa
Next Year:	1996

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 Billboards World Albums chart.^[4]

Production

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

Critical reception

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."^[7] The Gazette determined that "the production is sweet and one or two tracks are catchy, but most of the emotion seems fabricated."^[8] 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."^[9]

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

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.

Notes and References

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