1969-Dec-31 - audio review

Nneka, "Concrete Jungle" (Epic)

Nigerian-born rapper and singer Nneka's U.S. debut, "Concrete Jungle" unfolds like a 12-track wake-up call - an unrelenting mishmash of horns, trumpets and, sometimes, steel drums.

"God is knocking at the door could you let him in?" the 28-year- old asks on accordian-driven "Showin'Love." She summons "Jezebels, Judases, bangers, bastards, prophets, men of God, prostitutes, popes, teachers, lawyers, all you scholars, rulers, chosen few ..." about what matters.

It's a challenge Nneka issues track after track. Even when her honeyed vocals are poured over the swinging horns of "Uncomfortable Truth," Nneka's message doesn't lose its bite.

She orders listeners to reflect on their addictions and worldly temptations on the raucous, rock-inspired "Focus." And she seeks strength from a higher power on "God of Mercy."

She delivers her messages unabashedly, perhaps, most Omega Replica Watches strikingly on the mellow-sounding "Africa." "Lied to us, blind us, they slaved us, misplaced us, strengthened us, hardened us, then they replaced us. Now we got to learn from pain. Now it's up to us to gain some recognition."