U2 by African artists is a mouth watering prospect. Linked with Africa since Where The Streets Have No Name was written in Ethiopia in the mid eighties right through until on the Vertigo Tour of 2005 when all the African flags cascaded from the roof of the stage it was probably about time that the songs were set in African contexts rather than just being about Africa. Putting the songs in that context had always the possibility of opening up new nuances, meanings and impact. Where the arrangements are most played with it might be a metter of taste whether it works or doesn't. For me, trying to lament up (or down!) Bullet The Blue Sky with wailing harmonica but without Edge's whirring guitar is a tricky trick that maybe doesn't fully convince my western ear but Soweto Gospel Choir's reinvention of Pride (In The Name Of Love) into a Negro-Spiritual hymn works wonderfully. Angelique Kidjo's version of Mysterious Ways in different languages brings added seduction though perhaps loses the spiritual twist that U2 have given it particularly in live performance. It is though the most accessible song in the collection. Where Vusi Mahlasela's Sometimes you Can't Make It On Your Own and Keziah Jones' One fail to add any hues to the originals, the most intriguing versions are Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' Seconds and African Underground All Stars' Desire, the latter adding some contemporary rap to the original tune and using the chorus almost as a sample. It's new emphasis on African liberation makes it the most politically charged song here. All in all, a fascinating addition to the art of all things U2.
