Various
Jamiila -songs From A Somali City
1. Jamiila (Kuusow "Kurtunwaarey": vocals, Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: guitar, Cabdulaahi Iman "Zamir": organ). Praise for the woman whose name forms the title, sung in 'af May May', a southern Somali dialect. The bass-guitar-like rhythm is the rumba beloved of so many African musicians. Here it is supplied by the organ itself, but of course selected by its player. 2. Laac (Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: vocals and kaban, Xasan Xaaji Maxamed: taruumbo). Despite its traditional sound, this song in standard Somali is fairly typical of much contemporary popular town music in style. 3. Dakhtar (Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: vocals and guitar). "Dakhtar" -Doctor- even though, as the singer complains, there is no cure for love. Another song in standard Somali. 4. Yaabint (Kuusow "Kurtunwaarey": vocals, Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: guitar, Nuur Maxamed "Curuba": organ). 'Ya biint' could be the title of a million Arabic-language songs, since 'bint' is Arabic for young woman, but this one is in the 'af May May' dialect. Side 2: 1. Muumina (Kuusow "Kurtunwaarey": vocals, Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: guitar, Cabdulaahi Iman "Zamir": organ). Another song named after the woman to whom the singer is pouring his heart out, once more in 'af May May'. 2. Ma Korto (Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: vocals and kaban, Xasan Xaaji Maxamed: taruumbo). A most unusual love song, this: the singer is not only amorous but betrothed; his problem is that his future wife has stopped growing! The lyrics are in standard Somali - though the title is significantly close to the Italian for 'but short'... 3. Laiilaaf (Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: vocals and guitar). One more young woman, one more love song. The language is standard Somali. 4. Siina Miiri (Cabdulaahi Iman "Zamir": vocals, Amin Xaaji Cusmaan: guitar, Nuur Maxamed "Curuba": organ). More love trouble, this time summed up in the title - loosely translated, I've lost my mind (over her, of course). This is the only cut on the album in Baraawe's own language, Chimini. Typically of the truly local style, it is also rather reminiscent of the Swahili music from further south (any Swahili speaker would understand the title at least). Indeed, these musicians have in their repertoire several songs from south of the border in Kenya.