Sunday, July 1, 2012

CD Review: Bibi Tanga and The Selenites' '40 Degrees Of Sunshine'

Bibi Tanga and The Selenites
40 Degrees Of Sunshine
Nat Geo

The groovy, funkadelic, and Afro-rumba music of the Central African Republic-born Bibi Tanga, traverses a wide array of funk-rock, jazz, and African music with a classy, 70's feel. Bibi Tanga is the lead vocalist and bassist, while others contribute on keyboards, strings, guitars, drums, and turntables. The twelve songs are energetic, bass-heavy, and transcendental with regards to Afro-soul, jazz, and jam rock. The African connections are quite prevalent, as well as European jazz. The vocals are pleasant, earthy, and celebratory. Sometimes the guitar is rock-centered, while at other times, the guitar takes on a more acoustic or funk vein. Some songs are in English and "Kangoya" is sung in Bibi Tanga's native language of Sango. Fans of Afro-funk will love the funkadelic incarnations throughout. ~ Matthew Forss

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