The Wild Thornberrys

Performer: Original Soundtrack
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Producers: George Acogny, Jonathan McHugh. To go along with the jungle motif of this Nickelodeon-produced animated feature, we're presented with a soundtrack album full of African-flavored pop. Who better to lead that particular charge than Paul Simon, whose GRACELAND helped pave the way for Afro-pop crossover in the US. His "Father and Daughter" is a gentle but spirited song about the parent-child bond. A pairing of jamband hero Dave Matthews and African diva Angelique Kidjo ("Iwoya") makes more sonic sense than one might suppose. Ska-punks Reel Big Fish offer a rather ill-advised take on the Specials' "Monkey Man," but a smart pair of Youssou N'Dour collaborations (one with Sting, one with Peter Gabriel) soon set things right. The Pretenders' "Get Out of London" doesn't have much to do with Africa, but it's one of their better latter-day tunes and a pleasure to hear. Ultimately, this disc cleaves pretty closely to the Anglo pop aesthetic, but the introduction of African elements throughout is strong enough to add a nice touch of exoticism.

Uncut (3/03, p.108) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...[Simon] can still turn a lyric and craft a tune like an unlikely deft demi-god..."

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