Emotion

by Papa Wemba

Overview

Long a favorite among Afro-pop aficionados, Zairean expatriate Papa Wemba made a major push for worldwide recognition with this 1995 release. At the time a resident of Paris, the artist enlisted the aid of Brit-pop producer Stephen Hague (New Order, Pet Shop Boys) in hopes of making Emotion a crossover success, a move that alienated some purist fans of more traditional African sounds. But in mixing his unique brand of African soukous with various Western influences, Papa Wemba took a bold step into the international pop market already populated by Senegalese singing sensations Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal, whose albums enjoyed the type of commercial success few world music releases can even aspire to. Under Hague's guidance, Papa Wemba's majestic vocals shine in the spotlight, flowing smoothly over each universally accessible, groove-laden track like the sweetest honey. By the time he reaches an immensely soulful cover of Otis Redding's "Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)," it's obvious that Papa Wemba was destined to be a star. ~ Bret Love

Product Details

Release Date:	10/30/2012
Label:	Real World Records
UPC:	0884108000694
Rank:	62895

Tracks

1. Yolele
2. Mandola
3. Show Me the Way
4. Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)
5. Rail On
6. Shofele
7. Image
8. Sala Keba [Be Careful]
9. Awa Y' Okeyi [If You Go Away]
10. Epelo
11. Ah Ouais [Oh Yes]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Papa Wemba   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Juliet Roberts   Guest Artist,Vocals
Lokua Kanza   Percussion,Bass,Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Paco Sery   Drums
Stephen Hague   Accordion
The Kick Horns   Horn
Maika Munan   Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Jean-Philippe Rykiel   Keyboards
Andy Duncan   Drums,Percussion
Christian Polloni   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Julia Saar   Vocals (Background)
Maurice Poto   Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Xavier Jouvelet   Percussion
Anne Papiri   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Spike Drake   Mixing
Paul Bradshaw   Liner Notes
Steve Pyke   Photography
Papa Wemba   Composer
Stephen Hague   Mixing,Producer,Programming
Ben Findlay   Engineer
Maika Munan   Composer
Lokua Kanza   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Otis Redding   Composer
Henry Binns   Assistant Engineer
Sam Hardaker   Engineer
Steve Cropper   Composer
Christian Polloni   Composer
Stan Loubieres   Engineer
Alex Firla   Engineer