KAÏSSA: Looking There

Kaïssa

Looking There

© 2005 Makai Records (094922500410)

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Afro-pop diva Kaïssa takes you on a journey with her mix of African/World/fusion music. "Regarded as one of the great voices of Africa..." -Africa Festival, Würzburg Germany

notes

After a number of years as a back-up singer for well-known African music artists and meticulous efforts to develop her own unique style in the clubs of New York City, Kaïssa has finally blessed her fans with the stunning debut album we've been yearning for. Our excitement must be similar to that of an astronomer witnessing the birth of a new star, thrilled with the knowledge that this is just the beginning of what will surely be a bright and fiery future.

I'm sure if you are hearing the power and beauty of Kaïssa's music for the first time you will join her avid following, and be compelled to spread the word about this African diva. While she may be new to many, Kaïssa is very familiar to fans of African music in New York, which has been her home base since 1996. Her endearing personality, passionate performances and voice which combines the smoothness of velvet with vivacious intensity, has earned her a growing group of adoring fans, eager to share their enthusiasm with others.

You may wonder after listening to this masterful album, "Who is this woman and where did she come from?" Kaissa was born in Cameroon and moved with her family to Paris when she was 13. The City of Lights is home to a thriving and multicultural music scene with artists from all walks of life, coming together to create new and exciting flavors. Besides touring and/or recording as a back-up singer with well-known African artists like Salif Keita, Manu Dibango, Cesaria Evora, Kasse Mady and Papa Wemba, Kaïssa also worked with French pop star CharlElie Couture, multimedia artist and musician Jean-Michel Jarre and American stars Martha Wash and Diana Ross.

New York has offered her a wealth of new collaborators, including Patrice Bihina, a producer, composer and guitarist who co-wrote many of the songs on this album, Tony Cedras, a highly-respected South African musician who has recorded with Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffet, and Cassandra Wilson among others, and her husband, the masterful drummer Maciek Schejbal, the producer of this album. Many other talented veterans of the music world in New York have joined in to lend a hand on this album, among them Fred Doumbe and Andre Manga.

Looking There has been many years in the making, and Kaïssa and her colleagues have devoted great care and persistence to ensure that it reflects her true artistry and depth of talent. For those of us who have been patiently awaiting its arrival, this album exceeds even our wildest hopes and captures the spirit and soul of a star that will certainly be dazzling us for years to come.

-Jacob Edgar

(From CD liner notes)



Personnel:

Kaïssa-lead and backing voices
Maciek Schejbal-drums, percussion, percussion programming
Fred Doumbe-bass, guitar, backing voices, percussion, percussion programming
Tony Cedras-guitar, keyboards, accordion
Andre Manga-bass, guitar
Jahdan-rap
Pawel Maciwoda-bass
Henri Tanash-guitar
Martino Atangana-guitar
Alain Agbo-guitar
Aaron Heick-saxophone, flute
Kofo the Wonderman-talking drums
Frank Bambara-congas
Colette Michan-flute

reviews

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  • impressive
    author: axelhofer

    worth to listen to every second. the CD brings over not only music, but also feelings, which is very rare to find. congrats to this CD, Kaissa

  • o si keka
    author: piscotel

    very good music

  • Looking There
    author: Raymonde Giguère

    Ce disque mérite d'être commandé et d'attendre sa livraison quelques semaines. Bravo et Merci de faire une si belle musique. J'ai entendu "O Si Keka" sur les ondes de Radio Canada il y a environ 2 mois et immédiatement nous sommes tombés amoureux. Toutes les musiques de ce CD sont extra. Merci Kaissa!

  • buy it!
    author: African Music luva

    This CD is great - beautiful music and she has a deep and soothing voice. The first and last tracks are my fave - make u wanna dance! The drumming on the album is also fabulous and the third track (o si keka)is one of the sexiest songs I have heard though I have no idea what she is singing about!

  • A blessed voice that calms my soul
    author: Steve Moon (photographera and fan)

    One of the best cds in my 1000 collection of world music. Enchanted vocals. Music you can play in any forum. I play the cd somedays all day and not realize it. Its just a part of nature.

  • Wonderfully made album
    author: Alexia Gardner, Jazz Vocalist

    Yes, we haven't put this album down! It's a strong, enoyable cd from begining to end.

  • EXCELLENT!
    author: La Martiniana

    Love it! This incredible album matches her beauty and incredible spirit. My favorite song... "O SI KEKA"! Just awesome!

  • Amazing - superbe - great - génial
    author: Clément

    Enfin arrivé le CD ! MA GNI FI QUE, merci pour ce que tu donne Kaissa, merci et bravo aux musiciens et tout ceux qui ont participés a cet album, Looking there. Clem

  • author: Clément

    plus de stock ! je serais patient pour recevoir ton CD que je prend déja plaisir a écouter sur le site.

  • You are awesome. Keep it on
    author: Chouchou Kwedy

    Ma soeur, Bonne Annee et Felicitations... Je t'embrasse tres fort..... Bien des choses a Maciek Bisous Jacky

  • Kaissa, uhmmmmm Kaissa
    author: MannyC

    Songs that will make you wanna shake your money maker Unmistakeable voice and a serious message. What more can you ask for. Catch her live but if you see me there, step off - i want her for myself :-)

  • Superbe Kaissa
    author: TRESOR YOASSI

    Eh bien finalement j'ai mon CD meme s'il n'est pas encore autographie. The music is excellent and bring back some memories of home..Cameroon. Knowing who she was as an artist, the result of her 1rst solo album is not a surprise at all. Now is the much awaited 2 nd CD before we light more candles to Kaissa. Excellent, courage.

  • Positive Spirit in Delicious Grooves cooked with Beautiful Musicianship and Soul
    author: Mark Bradley aka Marku

    I love this CD. Kaisa's vocals are smooth with deepth and clarity of tone, and the instrumental mixes are well done and provide an interesting compliment for her voice and message. It makes me miss Africa, where I feel more at home anyway. Sincerely, Marku

  • Wow, amazing from top to toe
    author: Anna Lindgren

    Fantastic music that grab you and make you happy. A warm voice with a big register and personality. A synchronized group of musicians. The blend with these musical ingredients cannot fail and the result is Looking There. Now it´s only for us to wait for where Kaissa is looking next time...

  • It was wonderful, thanks so much.
    author: Margaret Welch

    Everything was great.

  • WONDERFUL !!
    author: RANDY FRANKE

    what a great CD! Makes this white guy wanna dance! I don't have a favorite but I love To Njay. Thank you Kaissa

  • O si Keka is off the planet!! Absolutely wonderful!!
    author: KIMBA

    There are two delightful versions of this song One is entitled Nika pata lambo Fimd it and double your pleasure

  • I LOVE KAISSA'S VOICE
    author: Sheri

    The CD is great! I love her voice She's awesome

  • Looking There
    author: Belem

    This CD is the best I have listen to in the past year, all the songs are great, there is no skip for me in this album. In fact #10 to Ndje I have to repeat that one all the time because it is so beautiful... The music the lyrics everything is so perfect I am waiting for their next piece. Guys, do so quick, please!!!! Let's go back to Cameroon!!:O) Love you guys!!

  • Irresistably good, heard on Putemeyo, use her for the restaurant
    author: Nick and Tonis

    Highly reccomended to get you of your chair and stir your soul...

  • This is what I want to hear when I listen to music.
    author: Jim Rolando

    I heard this woman on a a compilation and immediately went looking a CD. This artistry presents the kind of passion that gives me goose bumps, which is generally what I look for in music. I'll be looking for more. Jim

  • Kaissa we love you!!
    author: Eileen y Gilberto Costa

    We also discovered Kaissa from the World Music label, Putumayo. She is awesome, we feel she is like a sister just listening to her gifted voice. This is a work of art!! Buy it! You won't regret it, trust us. Blessings, E&G

  • Awesome!
    author: Karen B

    I discovered Kaissa from the World Music label, Putumayo. I love her first CD. I listen to this Cd everyday. I just can't get enough of it. She has a beautiful voice, which she combines with African rhythms as well as Contemporary r& B, soul influences. She summarizes briefly what each song is about in the accompanying booklet. Great dance music! She also sings on Jazzhole's Circle of The Sun, on 3 tracks.

  • Kaïssa rocks!
    author: Lisa

    Kaïssa is an exceptional artist. Everyone should recognize her and the awesome sounds of her album. Her voice is unusual and wonderful.

  • author: Monica

    This music put me in such a good mood !:) It`s beautiful!

  • It's a very nice album
    author: Adam Greenberg, allmusic.com

    The debut album from Cameroonian songstress Kaissa, previously heard in America only on a stray Putumayo compilation or two. The sound is certainly informed by the Afropop traditions, but it's built into more of an R&B piece through much of the course of the album. Kaissa's voice is always the focus here, and a nice focus it is. Her phrasing is exceptional, and clarity and power are the hallmark of a strong African female vocalist. The original songs are all worth hearing, ranging from bouncing funk to nostalgic paeans. A stray cover of Stevie Wonder's Big Brother is perhaps the least noteworthy song here. While the performance and vocal quality are still at her surprisingly high level, Kaissa does seem to have some minor difficulties matching English phrasing with the song with her usual ease. Throughout, it's an excellent album. Possibly difficult to dig up given the small release, but more than worth it for anyone interested in new African soul and related genres.

  • wonderfull songs from a brilliant artiste i love.
    author: dib's junior

    looking there is a jewell; a mixt of different kind of rythm that make me dance, feel good everytime. i'm waiting for kaissa next album.

  • Fantastic, can't play it enough
    author: Atina

    The songs are simply brilliant. The beats vary and keep you constantly moving. O Si Keka and Essimo are my favorites. I just wish I had the lyrics so I could try to sing along, even if it is in Duala. I can't wait for her next CD!

  • author: Zilvinas

    Really good :), songs 3)Eyoum & 4)O Si Keka -excellent - plaing non stop in my disckman

  • "Looking There" is first-class entrtainment. I want more of Kaissa.
    author: Gertrude P. Marrow

    I love every song on the CD. I have already played it probably twenty times since I received it a week ago. I look forward to hearing more of Kaissa's wonderfully refreshing music.

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