CD Review: Zongo Junction's 'No Discount'

Zongo Junction
No Discount
Electric Cowbell Records

The Brooklyn-based, Afro-beat maestros, Zongo Junction, brings us a moving piece of history with Ghanaian-infused, instrumental tunes in the shadows of Fela Kuti and others. The funky, psychedelic tracks are danceable and emotive with bubbling keys, punchy sax, and diverse instrumentation in a jazzy setting. The writhing sounds are Afro-beat grooves at their finest. The sax frenzy on “A Van That Got Away,” proves why Zongo Junction makes the best Afro-beat music in America. The down-tempo electronica of “Longtooth,” showcases their diverse talent of Afro-beat, jazz, experimental, funk, and pop. The entire album is an instrumental journey, which is very likable throughout. There are even some Balkan jazz or Klezmer moments on "Invented History." At any rate, No Discount is an engaging, Afro-beat pleasure that will be enjoyed by everyone that fancies music of the African kind. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: CSC Funk Band's 'Funkincense'

CSC Funk Band
Funkincense
Electric Cowbell Records

Born out of Brooklyn, New York, CSC Funk Band continues to ignite the Afro-beat and funk music charts with scintillating beats, nostalgic horns, and rippling guitar grooves that are impossible to ignore. The sub-forty-minute romp through Afro-funk bliss contains eight tracks and some of them contain vocals. The heady mix of sax, trombone, guitar, percussion, bass, and keyboard provides a pulsating result that is catchy, psychedelic, infectious, and undeniably great. The grooves are layered with fine horns, fluid bass, and Afro-centric nostalgia that cannot be made any better by anyone else. These funkers are without a doubt the best in the biz right now. The whole album wreaks of funkincense from head to toe and track to track. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Super Hi-Fi's 'Dub To The Bone'

Super Hi-Fi
Dub To The Bone
Electric Cowbell Records

The jazzy and funk-laden songs on Dub To The Bone are anything but traditional. In fact, the songs reflect a futuristic tone with swishy percussion, reggae-type beats, fuzzy electronic adornments, urban soul, and classic, brass instruments. The fun music is mostly instrumental, but there are instances where some vocals are present. The trippy, dub-ridden music is not too harsh or boring overall. The dubified music is electric, danceable, and perfect for lounging. Despite the short tracklist of only eight songs, Dub To The Bone does not disappoint with light dub inflections and moving rhythms that border on jazzy, afro-beat. Anyone with a jazzy hankering for unique and fresh music from a dub perspective will love the music of Super Hi-Fi’s latest venture. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bio Ritmo's 'La Verdad'

Bio Ritmo

La Verdad

Electric Cowbell

The East Coast of the U.S. is home to a salsa explosion of sorts. The acclaimed Bio Ritmo presents us with La Verdad (Truth), an album that is teeming with hot rhythms, hot horns, and hot vocals. The music in question is largely funk-salsa with a dose of South American and American urbanisms. The nine long tracks are lively, rhythmic, and salsa-focused compositions of intense beauty. Crafty labels aside, Bio Ritmo exudes a Latin beat spirit and Puerto Rican charisma that holds firm and doesn't let go. The ten-member band helps bring back the salsa from years gone by with a host of horns, singers, pianists, percussionists, and songwriters with a futuristic sound developed from the great salsa classics. Maintaining originality is Bio Ritmo's specialty. Plus, the addition of unconventional instruments, such as Farfisa organ, synths, kalimba, and cuica, makes La Verdad stand out from the crowd with its global leanings. Tortilla chips are best served with salsa and a side of Bio Ritmo. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Electric Cowbell Records Presents - Bongolia

Various Artists

101 Things To Do In Bongolia

Electric Cowbell Records

The music on Electric Cowbell's latest release is a compilation of music from records featuring the best in funky, psychedelic, groovy, and danceable music from Africa, the Caribbean, and the USA. A range of artists and groups grace the tracks on this album, including Sierra Leone's Sahr Ngaujah, Superhuman Happiness, Los Riberenos, Bio Ritmo, Debo Band, CSC Funk Band, Amazing Ghost, Spanglish Fly, Greg Ginn, and Talibam!. Somewhat instrumental and vocal, the music is certainly littered with funky, electronic, and innovative danceability that increases with each listen. The music is not particularly traditional, because there is an urban and contemporary sensibility with most of the songs. Think of downtempo, trip hop, funk, rock, dance, pop, and electronica genres merged together. It is not as chaotic as it may seem. Perhaps Bongolia is a country unto itself. If this is the music of the country, then someone send me there immediately. ~ Matthew Forss