{"product_id":"so-forest-bikutsi-pop","title":"So' Forest: Bikutsi Pop","description":"\u003cp\u003eBikutsi Pop: The Songs of So' Forest, Naxos World's new disc from Cameroonian singer-songwriter So' Forest, may come as a surprise to those whose image of African music is limited to quaint-sounding guitars and traditional drumming. That's because Bikutsi Pop is a thoroughly modern affair, complete with programmed drumbeats and synthesizer layers that many listeners probably associate more with European club music than songs originating from the dances of Bantu tribesmen in southern Cameroon. At his best moments, So' Forest achieves a welcome synthesis between these modern pop elements and his more traditional vocals and Afro-pop-styled guitar lines, as on the opening \"Shambada,\" which layers gorgeous South African-style vocal harmonies over a dancehall break beat, and \"Zulu,\" which garnishes So' Forest's folkloric-sounding vocals with a hip-hop twist. But elsewhere, the production unfortunately buries much of So' Forest's vocal appeal under washes of synthesizers and drum machines. Naxos World--the new world music arm of the Naxos imprint--is to be commended for including more modern incarnations of traditional music in its survey of global sounds (as in the Indian DJ compilation Bhangra Beatz); however, this is one release that may leave listeners hungry for a more organic approach. --Ezra Gale\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1    Shambada\u003cbr\u003e2    Amazone\u003cbr\u003e3    Zulu\u003cbr\u003e4    Meding Ya\u003cbr\u003e5    Ma Wa\u003cbr\u003e6    Tenter\u003cbr\u003e7    Hakuna Matata\u003cbr\u003e8    Wake ya\u003cbr\u003e9    Esta\u003cbr\u003e10    Believing\u003cbr\u003e11    Rave\u003cbr\u003e12    Pole Pole\u003cbr\u003e13    Girl\u003cbr\u003e14    Routes\u003cbr\u003e15    Judgement\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ARC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48852559855866,"sku":"76032-2","price":8.27,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0067\/4660\/3571\/files\/61YDk3YE7NL._SL1000.jpg?v=1778013113","url":"https:\/\/classicselectworld.com\/en-de\/products\/so-forest-bikutsi-pop","provider":"ClassicSelect World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}