CD Review: Leni Stern's 'Jelell'

Leni Stern
Jelell
Self-Release

German-born and US-based, Leni Stern, brings us an inviting mix of North African guitar songs with hearty percussion and bluesy grooves. Leni plays the guitar, baritone guitar, n'goni, and provides lead vocals. However, additional musical accompaniment is provided by Mamadou Ba on bass, Alioune Faye on djembe, calabash, and percussion, Sabar Percussion Ensemble, Haurona Samake on camele n'goni, Leo Genovese on keys, Idriss Diop and Jazz on vocals, and Marieme on backing vocals. The music is recorded in Senegal, mixed in Mali, and enjoyed by the world-over. "Babacar" is a carefree romp through the desert with ambulating beats, experimental blues guitar stylings, and a myriad of other intriguing sounds produced in subtle ways. "Jelell," which means 'take it,' contains heady percussion and jazzy nuances with Leni's vocals leading the charge. "Dimbali Ma" begins with up-tempo percussion and folksy vocalizations by Leni. Her smoky vocals and emotive deliveries are paramount. The sweet guitar sounds emanate with such a strong life force on this track and others. There is a good mix of instrumental and vocal tracks throughout, but the combination of traditional percussion and up-beat guitar, bass, and keys move the music into another dimension. Great stuff. ~ Matthew Forss
  

CD Review: Zita Swoon Group's 'Wait For Me'

Zita Swoon Group
Wait For Me
Crammed

The Belgium-based world-beat group, Zita Swoon, is a cosmopolitan band representing a host of musical styles that cross the wide, Saharan expanse of North Africa and the Western European region of France, Belgium, and England. The engaging rhythms are showcased on a number of instruments, including drums, balafon, guitar, horns, various folk instruments. The wide-ranging vocals and incredible repertoire of Awa Deme, Mamadou Diabate Kibie, and the Paul Simon/Bob Dylan singing-leadership of Stef Kamil Carlens, produces a solid recording of memorable songs. The balafon and horns represent a West African and Ethiopian sound on the same album. The world music created by Zita Swoon Group is a form of fusion, but it almost works too good to be called fusion. Instead, the music is just great--no matter what you call it. ~ Matthew Forss