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- Summary: This is the sophomore album for the Kenyan and American group.
- Record Label: Thrill Jockey
- Genre(s): World
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 10 out of 10
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Mixed: 0 out of 10
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Negative: 0 out of 10
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Hera Ma Nono still possesses an often awkward transition between the jarring Kenyan and North American influences, but this also essentially provides Extra Golden with their character.
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As with their earlier release, Extra Golden seems to shine particularly in two speeds: an amped up tango rhythm that seems to accompany the more soul-driven songs, and a faster gallop that tends to yield the most sweat
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Hera Ma Nono improves on "Ok-Oyot System" in almost every way: the guitar sounds are more vibrant (padded with reverbs, phasers, and other bubbly what-have-you’s); the songs hang together better as a record; the slide between Swahili, English, and Luo is as effortless and colorful as good pidgin; and, most importantly, it usually gets at--or at least hints at--African music’s most cherished balance: unhurriedness with a pulse.
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Under The RadarThe songs on Hera Ma Nono are long, but the band is effective enough to maintain interest. [Fall 2007, p.73]
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Moments on Hera Ma Nono sound a little AOR for a label as experimental as Thrill Jockey, and one suspects that a tasteful re-branding is all that's keeping Extra Golden and their fascinating dance music from the heights of legitimacy currently enjoyed by much less challenging, much less "World" bands.
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The songs themselves are trimmer and sweeter than they were on the first album, and the outro is inspired.
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Overall, Hera Ma Nono left a good impression with several notable points, however, there will be no drooling this time around.