I Dreamed of Africa

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In the time of writing Maurice Jarre is not composing anymore, but his stamp will survive easily. Because after writing music for such epic fables as Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and dare I say Ghost we feel his influence is all around us. And with new club releases emerging recently its clear we haven't seen nor heard the last of him. Perhaps not fitting in the line of epic fables but still a recent entry is I Dreamed of Africa, Jarre's only score of 2000. The movie nor the album weren't of a particular success but the album itself still listens soothingly pleasant, bringing merely parts of more unrewarding abrasive music and usually lingering itself behind soft and romantic music. And in between vocalists Ayub Ogada and Geoffrey Oryema bring in the African sound and voice. As said the album wasn't really noticed when it was released and partly this is due to the rather obscurity now of composer Maurice Jarre, because who of the new fans know him if you compare the French artists alongside Hans Zimmer or James Newton Howard? Yet the album still holds a few surprises and this because Jarre is still a composer with a talented voice for thematic romanticism. He did it in the countless fables and he's done it here, just in somewhat less epic standards. His main romantic theme is still what drives the album here, from beginning to end and 'Arrival in Africa' opens perhaps with African singing, but this doesn't last long before Jarre brings forth his own voice. The emotional response is immediately reached and his main theme returns in the soft versions we usually expect of hearing on the CD. For 'A Different Rhythm' he inserts it briefly in a pleasant rapid surprise while the flutes and dreamy strings keep things cutely on line with the romantic status of the theme, in the end it's even heard romantically when a variation tries to create something new. Its especially one of the better tracks.

For 'The Storm' Jarre goes first and final for a more abrasive non thematic assault, this may seem harsh and its nothing in that line but comparing what comes in front and after it, it sure feels that way, of course after mere minutes the theme is back for more of that. 'Death and Misery' doesn't sound happy and while the theme is present, its heard softer on woodflute before percussion and some fanfares are heard. In between a somber solo violin and some emotional choir bring forth some sad feelings, but that's not the case with the classical work of Richard Strauss which end the track. Luckily Jarre composed a beautiful main theme and he makes sure we remember it in 'Kuki's Determination' where he once and for all makes it larger than life, romantically flourishing and dancing around with flutes and percussion in what is Jarre's African Waltz, its the extra touch of the brass that sends it higher than ever before. Its a perfect finish to an easy to appreciate work of Jarre. In between some African songs are placed and these don't interrupt the flow of the album one bit, simply because they are soothing and relaxing pieces where the voices never harm their emotional content, even though they somewhat sound all alike. I Dreamed of Africa isn't Jarre's best but I think his fans will easily appreciate the work he wrote for it. Its a relaxing album and merely in moments the more unhappy tones take center stage. For the rest it are the African soothing songs that shifts the mood and the romantic theme that lets it flow fluently from begin to end, with its monumental performance at the end to sign it off in true fable style. As said, it may not be Jarre's best nor most known work of all, but he has a certain kind of style in the romantic sense that doesn't leave you untouched. I Dreamed of Africa is just one of the many examples that will survive his stamp in the future to come.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Arrival In Africa (8.44)

2. Ondiek * (4.03)

3. A Different Rhythm (10.55)

4. Kel Kweyo ** (4.08)

5. The Storm (8.58)

6. Death And Misery + (11.16)

7. Obiero * (5.36)

8. Kuki's Determination (6.06) Excellent Track

* Written and performed by Ayub Ogada

** Written and performed by Geoffrey Oryema

+ Includes Inn Abendrot written by Richard Strauss & Joseph Von Eichendorff

Total Length: 60.02

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Maurice Jarre ===