CD Review: Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star De Dakar's 'Live a l'Etoile'

Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star De Dakar
Live a l'Etoile
Teranga Beat

Nigerian-born with ties to Dakar, Senegal via Bamako, Mali, Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star De Dakar, was a talented performer on saxophone. The Afro-Cuban jazz concoctions are steeped in sax, percussion, and rollicking good riffs, licks, and chords. The giddy guitars are somewhat Congolese-related, but the music is inherently West African with a good dose of North American jazz similarities. There are thirteen tracks that span Dexter's playlist from the early 50's and 60's style of jazz to Afro-Cuban classics and boogaloo compositions. Anyone familiar with Dexter's work should obtain this recording. It was the last recorded performance before their departure to Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 1969. There are a few singers, including John Gomis and William & Maissa Ngom, which add a good level of diversity to the tracks. This is primarily an Afro-jazz recording, so if you are seeking traditional West African music, you should look elsewhere. Overall, Dexter hits some high notes here with nothing to complain about. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Zoumana Tereta's 'Soku Fola: Traditional String Music From Segou, Mali'

Zoumana Tereta
Soku Fola: Traditional String Music From Segou, Mali
Kanaga System Krush

Born in Bamako, Mali, Zoumana Tereta began playing music at age sixteen. Originally mastering the Krinyani stringed instrument native to the Fulani, Zoumana moved on to the soku fiddle and bonfle (Fulani flute). The soku fiddle is the primary instrument highlighted on the new album, Soku Fola... However, Zoumana is joined by other instruments, including the acoustic guitar, bass djeli n'goni, and calabash. The acoustic album is very organic and raw with various vocalizations and instrumental arrangements. The soku fiddle and calabash take the spotlight on "Sorre." Zoumana's husky voice is mature and intriguing. There are liner notes about each song, the instruments, and production notes. Anyone interested in learning more about North African music will especially love the recording from a seasoned veteran. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Lobi Traore's 'Bwati Kono "In The Club"...Raw Electric Blues From Bamako'

Lobi Traore
Bwati Kono "In The Club"...Raw Electric Blues From Bamako
Kanaga System Krush

Lobi Traore gives us electric blues guitar music straight from Bamako, Mali on his last recording before his death. The album contains nine live tracks with lively, blues guitar music, which is gritty, raw, and organic. The music is jam-worthy and trance-inducing in parts, but Lobi's great guitar calisthenics wins us over. There are traditional instruments that accompany the electric guitar sounds, including djembe and balafon. The spacious beats and inventive delivery make Bwati Kono... one of the best West African recordings in recent memory. Lobi followed in the tradition of Vieux Farka Toure and Zani Diabate. This is not an acoustic guitar album. There are many long instrumentals in between the vocals, which aids in the incredible musicianship for all to enjoy. Lobi will be missed; but his music will live on. Enjoy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: JeConte & The Mali Allstars' 'Mali Blues'

JeConte & The Mali Allstars
Mali Blues
SoulNow

The rise of Mali blues music in the 1990s gave way to several notable performers in Africa and beyond. Perhaps, the best known is Ali Farka Toure. Ali is mentioned on a track, but his son, Vieux, adds vocals and guitar accompaniment on "Le Monde Pour La Paix." JeConte is a vocalist and harmonica-bluesman from the USA. JeConte is joined by a plethora of star-studded appearances by Souleymane Ann, Khaira Arby, Sidiki Camara, Doussou Koulibaly, Bassekou Kouyate, Moustafa Kouyate, Boubacar Sidibe, Adama Drame, Mahamadou Kone, Sekou Bah, and Vieux Farka Toure. The entire production is rather organic with laid-back, swirling rhythms and melodies marking the blues genre with an international flavor seldom-seen before. The project was recorded over a two-year period in Bamako, Mali. There are twelve tracks that showcase African blues music and the awareness of the people from Mali. The guitar work gets a little rambunctious at times, which is not particularly deleterious. Anyone into Malian guitar music and blues tunes will love JeConte & The Mali Allstars. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Kora, Kora, Kora....

Djibril Diabate
Hawa
Terp Records

Djibril Diabate, from Mali, plays the kora, a 21-stringed gourd harp. On Hawa, an ode to his second mother, Djibril bridges the past with today using nothing but his hands and kora. In fact, no vocals or additional accompaniment is provided. This does two things: It allows the listener to be entranced by the lilting sounds of the kora strings, and it showcases a rich, traditional heritage and cultural staple for West Africans. Of course, the kora is easily accessible to everyone. The kora strings are a peaceful companion to any form of relaxation. Anyone with an interest in very good instrumental string music should find Hawa extremely palatable. ~ Matthew Forss