The Very Best: Warm Heart Of Africa

The Very Best
Warm Heart Of Africa
Green Owl Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: This release will surprise you!

Album Review:
Infectious, unpretentious and charming are just a few positive descriptors that I can come up with after just one listen to the debut from the European production duo Radioclit and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya, better known as The Very Best. Warm Heart Of Africa is a "nail it on the head" type of title, as the group hits you with its high octane African sounds, dance beats, and well thought out catchy pop anthems. At first glance, this is a record that you could easily dismiss with its cartoon cover and mostly non-English song titles but after only a few uplifting bars into the lead track "Yalira", its harmonies instantly grab your attention and make your feet start to tap before you even get into the feverish lyrical back n forth, that gets the song moving. This is essentially what The Very Best is all about - high energy. If I don't have you sold yet then the title track led vocally by Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend will seal the deal. It is a feel good tune that can even make the dullest person smile as it rivals some of the most catchy tracks from VW. This doesn't even get you into the later part of the record that features M.I.A. on "Rain Dance" that almost is the anti typical Very Best track, which focuses on her vocals over the drum line, while containing no sunny melodies. This contrast in style is what makes Warm Heart Of Africa such a solid record because even though The Very Best have a highlight on Afro-pop, they really combine many different genres to get their overall sound and have released a record that is as exciting as it is timeless!

Key Tracks: "Chalo", "Warm Heart Of Africa", "Julia"

Bands With Simlar Fire:
M.I.A.
Vampire Weekend
Cof Cof

The Very Best MySpace
The Very Best Info [Allmusic]
Green Owl Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael