CD Review: The Afrorockerz's Self-Titled Release

The Afrorockerz
The Afrorockerz
Buda Musique

Paris-based and soon-to-be-world-known, The Afrorockerz, combine the elements of a West African night-club with the action-packed sound of Euro-jazz and American soul for a truly pleasant recording. The funky rhythms are spearheaded by vocalist, Allonymous and Emma Ladji, while Sylvain Daniel is in charge of bass, keyboards, and programming. Though, the brainchild of the album, Julien Jujju Raulet, is a master guitarist, percussionist, and drummer. The group includes the percussion talents of Frederic Jean, Maxime Zampiere, Eric Durand, and keyboard credits from Guillaume Poncelet. Some of the tunes are edgy and urban-esque, but not too dissimilar from typical West and Central African funk and jazz. The group's eerie keyboard sounds and pervasive beats that change direction without notice are all very attractive elements on the album. There are even a few rock guitar displays. Still, anyone into Afro-funk and jazz will love The Afrorockerz. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Morpheus Hang's 'Listening In The Dark'

Morpheus Hang
Listening In The Dark
Sketis Music

Yuri Rubin (aka Morpheus Hang) is a Russian composer and performer on the hang and steel drum. The hang is an instrument currently only made in Bern, Switzerland that is an idiophone played with fingers and hands. It is a UFO-shaped steel sheets welded together as two discs. The instrument is played on the lap in both horizontal and vertical positions. The sound is quite indicative of the steel pan, but that is typically brighter in tone. The hang is more muted in tone, which adds a kind of bass sound to the songs. There are no additional instruments or vocals on the eight tracks that range over forty-minutes in length. The tonal qualities overall are very contemplative and meditative. The hang is very dreamy and melodic. Yuri succeeds with Listening In The Dark. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: More Like Trees' 'Roots, Shoots & Leaves'

More Like Trees
Roots, Shoots & Leaves
BBE Records

London, England-based trio, More Like Trees, creates quirky, urban, folk, roots, rock, and pop flavored samplings for our ears on Roots, Shoots & Leaves. The group combines some drum n bass, flamenco, classical, hip hop, indie, dance, dub, and world fusion for a delicious mix of tunes that are unforgettable. With vocals like Jason Mraz, Coldplay, Jack Johnson, and Dave Matthews in an urban vacuum, More Like Trees bring everything out on this release. The music is somewhat difficult to define or describe, but the affect is seamless, catchy, and addictive. Thirteen tunes represent a wide array of musical influences with varied vocals. It also mixes some experimental and avant-garde influences that are very compelling and top-notch. Anyone familiar with innovative British music with a world fusion and alternative vein will find solace in Roots, Shoots & Leaves. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Belize's Lebeha Boys' 'Lebeha Drumming'

Lebeha Boys
Lebeha Drumming
Self-Release

Belize is known for a traditional drum music tied to the Garifuna music traditions. These traditions bring together African, Caribbean, and South American Indian flavors to the music. This is mostly a drumming release with wood hand-drums, shakers, and background vocalizations. The rhythms are intense and punchy. There are eight tracks that feature a mix of turtle shells, primero drums, shakas, and segunda drums. The percussion accompaniments resemble a carnival-esque atmosphere with everyone having fun and enjoying the music-making process. This is a release by the Lebeha Drumming Center in Hopkins Village, Belize from 2005. All instruments and vocals are performed by Garifuna youth. These are the roots that gave the late-Andy Palacio worldwide fame. Fans of traditional drumming recordings will love this--especially fans of Babatunde Olatunji. Own a piece of musical history today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Monette Marino Keita's 'Coup d'Eclat'

Monette Marino Keita
Coup d'Eclat
Djembefola Productions

Monette Marino Keita engaging Afro-funk-folk album, Coup d'Eclat, which means 'burst of radiance,' is a debut work that is inspired by nearly twenty-years of rhythms and sounds accumulated from Afro-Latin and African regions. The music is contemporary, but lively with bass, keyboards, drums, guitars, flugelhorn, flutes, sax, trumpet, congas, kora, steel drum, and many other instruments. A master percussionist, Monette Marino Keita probably owes some of her talents to her husband--Mamady Keita--an expert percussionist in his own right from Guinea, West Africa. The eleven tracks represent a highly-percussive concoction of danceable tunes steeped in thousands of years of history. This is an ideal album for the African percussion fan, funk, Afro-Latin, and Afro-jazz genres. Not one track is disappointing. Let the rhythm move you today! ~ Matthew Forss