Aura is a studio album by the Nigerian jùjú musician King Sunny Adé, released in 1984.[2][3] It is credited to King Sunny Adé and His African Beats.

Unlike Adé's previous two Mango Records albums, Aura did not make the Billboard 200.[4] Mango dropped Adé after its release, and Adé broke up His African Beats.[1][5]

Production

The album was produced by Martin Meissonnier.[6] Stevie Wonder contributed harmonica to "Ase".[7] Aura employed five guitarists and six drummers, including Tony Allen.[8][9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Robert Christgau	A[6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[10]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[5]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	9/10[12]

Trouser Press thought that "the rhythm tracks are almost pure beatbox in style ... The vocal harmonies in [Adé's] work have a distinctive Latin feel."[13] The Philadelphia Inquirer called the album "subtly hypnotic, captivating," writing that "layer over layer of intricate rhythm is combined with swerving melodies, skirling guitar parts and the call-and-response chanting that is the heart of 'juju' music."[14] Jon Pareles, of The New York Times, listed Aura at number two on his list of the 10 best albums of 1984.[15]

AllMusic wrote that "once again, Adé and a battery of guitarists are particularly impressive, laying down a wealth of nicely integrated solos; as with earlier Adé recordings, the pedal steel work is especially stunning."[7] Mojo deemed the album "even groovier" than Synchro System.[16] Miami New Times argued that "because Aura's cutting-edge songs blended poorly with its more traditional Yoruban-based pieces, it ended up sounding more foreign than his other American LPs."[17]

Track listing

Personnel

• King Sunny Adé - guitar, vocals
• Ademola Adepoju - steel guitar
• Tony Allen - drums

References