Osibisa Digisleeve

"Osibisa: Crisscross rhythms that explode with happiness..." - so starts the first song on this CD and it captures the essence of the music perfectly!!!!!! I first heard this cd back in 1975 (as an album, of course), and since then it has always been present in my music collection. Osibisa, a group of African artists, have made a living fusing jazz and African rhythms into a feast for the ears. Every song on this CD sings to the soul. You'll love it - and try their other CDs also.They were big in the US for a couple of years, but they have been in Europe for the past couple of decades, touring constantly. I'm not sure if the composition of the group remains steady, but everything I hear from the group is a delight.

Another blast from the past, I first heard this group in the early 70's, it had just been imported to Australia to coincide with their visit and this was the first I had heard of Osibisa, it changed my likes in music forever. Time passed and I moved on to another life, losing contact with the music I so loved. Recently as I was searching Amazon for a friend and came across this album again, on CD, I immediately sent for the CD of Osibisa and haven't stopped playing it since. This is music to drive by or just to listen to. Again if you haven't listened to this band before do yourself a favour and do so.

I was living in Tangier, Morocco and was in the habit of buying cassettes. I was very pleased when I tried the album with the fantastic art on the cover! I fell in love with Osibisa right away. I bought two more albums and used them up(cassettes were notorious for tape breakage and shriveling). I was very pleased when I saw Osibisa on Amazon: it's been a long wait to hear them again! If you get into early Santana's rhythms you will get a KICK out of Osibisa! The wait is over-check it out!

I got hip to Osibisa as a pre-teen and have been a fan ever since.

My brother had this on vinyl back in the day.I had kinda forgotten what the music sounded like, but I had never forgotten the Roger Dean cover art.A couple of years ago I was on Amazon and vaguely remembered the name of this band. As I was typing it in, Amazon corrected my spelling.There it was ..... ON CD!When I played it, my kids were dancing all over the Living Room!"Criss-Cross Rhythms That Explode With Happiness" is spot on!

Osiba's music took me back to my very first concert in Houston Tx.In 1971 I was fortunate to catch a unforgettable show by this group,with their home made instruments and African sound they light up Liberty Hall a small venue in downtown Houston.By the end of the show everyone was on their feet jamming to music that exploded with sounds of the African continent.GETTY

Criss-cross rhythms that EXPODE with happiness!

great drum driven Afro/rhythem instrumental tracks

This is an absolute dynamite album, in fact one of the all-time classic 1970's albums. The first time I heard it, I was completely bowled-over by the incredible groove, combining killer rhythm, über-cool instrumentation and the hold-no-prisoners attitude of the band. In fact, I was up from my listing sofa within 30 seconds of the first track, "The Dawn", dancing to the vibe.I discovered this album and the equally groovy follow-up album "Woyaya" only in retrospect, so I have only heard them on CD, in the excellent Repertoire Records remasters. So why did I also buy these albums on vinyl? For two reasons: having acquired a high-end record player I have now rediscovered the warmth and presence of the vinyl sound and of course wished to hear them in this format. Secondly, you really need to have the vinyl versions in order to fully appreciate the glorious Roger Dean covers - amongst his best works!Highly recommended!John Planting Sweden

I bought this on vinyl in 1971. This 2008 re-issue offers excellent sound and is housed in a gatefold replica sleeve.It has certainly stood the test of time, sounding as fresh and vibrant as it did 40 years ago.Offering criss-cross rhythms of African origin and heavy western influences it is essentially an instrumental albumwith restrained chants and call and response that do not distract from the musicianship that is of the highest order.The brass section is as tight as any BST or Chicago and the rhythm,keyboards,guitar and particularly the percussionwould fit well on to any Santana album. This infectious album will receive regular plays long into the future.There are no bonus tracks and the booklet is interesting if not substantial.There are other re-issues and the twofers may appear better value butthis is the one to buy for the sound quality and stunning digisleeve.

Arrived on time. Good to hear this innovative group again.

A great slice of 1970's Afro - London sunshine. A fantastic Roger Dean cover too. And a wonderful backdrop to the occasional heat wave here in the UK.

Excellent happy music, many influences combine with African rhythms to produce a most exhilarating sound sadly missing these days.