The Journey
Studio album by
Maryam Mursal
Released1998
StudioReal World Studios[1]
LabelReal World
ProducerSimon Emmerson, Martin Russell

The Journey is the solo debut album by the Somali musician Maryam Mursal.[2][3] It was released in 1998 by Real World Records.[4] Mursal supported the album by touring with the Africa Fete festival.[5]

Production

The Journey documents Mursal's flight from war-torn Somalia through deserts to Denmark.[6][7] It was produced by Simon Emmerson and Martin Russell, with arrangements by Soren Jenson.[8][9] Hossam Ramzy played percussion on the album.[10] Peter Gabriel contributed backing vocals.[11] Among the backing musicians were members of Waaberi and Danish session players.[12]

"Lei Lei" is a reworked version of the Waaberi song "Cidlaan Dareemaya".[13] "Hamar" is an instrumental track.[14] "Qax" and "Somali Udiida Ceb" were written during Mursal's trek.[15]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Age[14]
AllMusic[16]
Robert Christgau(1-star Honorable Mention)[17]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[18]
The Guardian[8]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[12]

The Observer wrote that the album "dazzlingly mixes West African and Arabic roots with western production values."[19] The New York Times determined that "Mursal sounds too tough to let herself be reduced to an exotic sonic ingredient."[13] Rolling Stone concluded that "Mursal refuses to remain a prisoner of her native styles, embracing the frank beats and feral musical constructions of European, Middle Eastern and African nightclubs."[20]

The Irish Times deemed the album "a healthy hybrid that is fuelled by Mursal's passionate vocals—and impressive playing by a host of musicians."[21] The Gazette noted that "all manner of high-tech, worldbeat stuff has been grafted on to Mursal's Somali roots music."[22] The Chicago Tribune stated that The Journey "frames Mursal's extraordinary alto voice inside an array of musical textures created by strings, horn samples from old mambo records, wah-wah guitars, accordions and traditional instruments."[15]

AllMusic wrote that "the layers of sound on this disc blend techno with a more traditional Afro-pop sound."[16] The Morning Call, The Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune listed it among 1998's best albums.[23][24][25]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Lei Lei (I Feel Alone)" 
2."Kufïlaw (Take Care)" 
3."Somali Udiida Ceb (Somalia, Don't Shame Yourself)" 
4."Sodewou (Welcome)" 
5."Hamar (The Big City)" 
6."Qax (Refugee)" 
7."Nin Hun (Bad Man)" 
8."Fejigno (Beware)" 

References

  1. ↑ Spencer, Peter (21 June 1998). "World". Star Tribune. Newhouse News Service. p. 2F.
  2. ↑ "Maryam Mursal Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Newsome, Melba (Jul 1998). "The journey of Maryam Mursal". The Crisis. 105 (3): 34–36.
  4. ↑ "Maryam Mursal". NPR.
  5. ↑ Heckman, Don (18 June 1998). "Diversity on Tour". Los Angeles Times. p. F26.
  6. ↑ "Maryam Mursal: The Journey". JazzTimes. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  7. ↑ "Somali star's road to Eden". July 8, 2005 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  8. 1 2 Denselow, Robin (3 Apr 1998). "Maryam Mursal The Journey". The Guardian. p. T016.
  9. ↑ Miles, Milo (28 Apr 1998). "Dry country divas". The Village Voice. 43 (17): 129, 132.
  10. ↑ Poet, J. (Oct 1998). "Maryam Mursal". Wired. 6 (10): 174.
  11. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEWS". Music Week. Mar 7, 1998. p. 28.
  12. 1 2 MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. pp. 541–542.
  13. 1 2 Pareles, Jon (29 Mar 1998). "A Voice That Pleads For Home". 2. The New York Times. p. 46.
  14. 1 2 Taylor, Kerry (12 June 1998). "The Journey Maryam Mursal". Entertainment Guide. The Age. p. 8.
  15. 1 2 Kot, Greg (26 June 1998). "BOLD VOYAGER". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 26.
  16. 1 2 "Maryam Mursal - The Journey Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  17. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Maryam Mursal". www.robertchristgau.com.
  18. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 82.
  19. ↑ Spencer, Neil (15 Mar 1998). "Maryam Mursal The Journey". The Observer Review Page. The Observer. p. 13.
  20. ↑ Hunter, James (Jun 11, 1998). "The Journey". Rolling Stone (788): 121.
  21. ↑ Breen, Joe (3 Apr 1998). "Traditional/Roots". SOUND & VISION. The Irish Times. p. 14.
  22. ↑ Feist, Daniel (23 May 1998). "Maryam Mursal recounts her Journey". The Gazette. p. C11.
  23. ↑ Righi, Len (2 Jan 1999). "1998: THE YEAR IN REVIEW — POP MUSIC". The Morning Call. p. A29.
  24. ↑ "The Best of 1998". The Washington Post. 1 Jan 1999. p. N7.
  25. ↑ Kot, Greg (6 Dec 1998). "SOUND DECISIONS". ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
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