Yaa-Lengi Ngemi

• Oh, Miziki [MiyeMi, 1986] A-

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Oh, Miziki [MiyeMi, 1986]
Spare and delicate where most West Africans layer on the rhythms, this Harlem-based Zairean doesn't have much choice--except for two backup vocalists and a guy who chips in the occasional horns and auxiliary guitar, he plays everything himself. Ngemi's conversational tenor lifts off its falsetto whoops, his pulse is cleaner if less awesome than its homegrown counterparts, and the high, sweet minimal guitar obbligatos never let you down. Four titles, an hour of beguiling groove. A-