CD Review: JuJu's 'In Trance'

JuJu
In Trance
Real World

JuJu is the collaboration of England's Justin Adams and Gambia's Juldeh Camara. Justin is a guitarist that also plays the bendir. Juldeh is the lead vocalist, ritti player, and talking drum aficionado. The duo are backed by Billy Fuller on bass, backing vocals, Dave Smith on drums and assorted percussion, and Martyn Barker on drums and cajon. The seven-track release is a mix of jazz, rock, African fusion, and blues. There is also an element of psy-trance - hence the title. However, there is much similarity to various North African guitar groups and the late-Ali Farka Toure. The ambulating beats are spacious and raw. The intense guitar riffs, crazy sounds of organic noise, and African vocals make In Trance a suitable recording for North African guitar band fans and world fusion with a good dose of blues, rock, and 'other'. Think of an amped up Master Musicians of Jajouka. It is very en-trancing! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'World Yoga'

Various Artists
World Yoga
Putumayo

Anyone familiar with the relaxing qualities of yoga will be familiar with the music that goes along with it. Our friends at Putumayo have put together an incredible collection of soothing, relaxing, and creative music for yoga--or other relaxing ventures. The music is culled from a variety of musicians, including Sona Jobarteh, Quentin Dujardin, Deva Premal & Miten, DJ Drez, Ara Dinkjian, Geoffrey Oryema, Kelsang Chukie Tethong, Stevin McNamara, and others. The quiet, reflective, and mood-quenching music incorporates scintillating guitar work, vocal harmonies, transcendental arrangements, and contemporary spiritual influences that astound listeners and rejuvenate souls. With musicians from diverse regions as Gambia, Wales, Portugal, Mali, Armenia, Sweden, Tibet, Uganda, and others, World Yoga is truly a global collective of musical styles for the yoga genre. Overall, the music is meditative, vocal, instrumental, and serene. In fact, I cannot stop listening to it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sura Susso's 'Sila Kang'

Sura Susso

Sila Kang

Kuli Marow Music

Gambian-native and U.K.-based, Sura Susso, comes from a long line of musical talent with a specialization in the kora. Sura lends his voice, djembe, calabash, udu drum, sewruba, dun-dun, tama, congas, shakers, and darbuka throughout the album. A few additional musicians add a touch of flute, bass, guitar, horns, and additional backing and lead vocals on a handful of tracks. The instrumental, "Africa", is a happy kora tune with a spritely rhythm and no additional instrumentation. The harp-like and piano-like qualities of the kora shine through on "Massaneh Cessay" and "Medina". Lyrics are not provided in the liner notes. Fans of West African kora music will find Sura Susso most satisfying. Though, anyone interested in African music should find Sila Kang equally intriguing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: 4-CD SET - Free Africa

Various Artists

Free Africa [4 CD]

Maquis

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of freedom for many African countries, Maquis Music released a four-disc set of popular music from all-around Africa. Some of the countries represented include Mali, Togo, Congo, Guinea, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Angola, Cape Verde, and Ethiopia. Some of the artists include Djelimady Tounkara, Mahmoud Ahmed, Alpha Blondy, Ismael Lo, Bassekou Kouyate, Amadou & Mariam, Salif Keita, Manu Dibango, Orchestra Baobab, Cesaria Evora, and many more. Music originating from the 1960's to the present is included. Many styles of music are represented, including, highlife, afro-beat, jazz, saharan, blues, folk, roots, and afro-latin. Of course, it is possible to include every, or even some, of the African musicians from these regions in one album set. However, the folks at Maquis Music succeed in presenting a well-rounded collection of African music from established and lesser-known artists. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gambia's Musa M'Boob & Xam Xam

Musa M'Boob & Xam Xam

Haral (Let Me Tell You)

Independent Release

Gambia's premiere percussionist, Musa M'Boob has learned the drumming traditions of West Africa from a long line of ancestral involvement in the Gambian music world. A top percussionist, Musa also sings and plays the sabar, djembe, dun dun, snare, and tama. He is joined by his band-mates, Xam Xam. There is a rich musical repertoire with bass, keyboards, guitar, sax, kora, modern drums, and back-up vocals always in the local language. Though Musa is based in England, his sound is uniquely Gambian with a jazzy and modern Afro-pop style. The rhythms are inventive and never dull. The song titles are translated in the liner notes with short song descriptions in English. This is the first contemporary Gambian release to emerge in years. Do yourself a favor and show Musa (and Gambia, for that matter) you care about the music! ~ Matthew Forss