CD Review: Kuku's 'Ballads and Blasphemy'

Kuku
Ballads and Blasphemy
Buda Musique

Steeped in Yoruban traditions and Western arrangements, Kuku creates an engaging and thought-provoking mix of Afro-pop gold and roots music. The famous Tony Allen lends his talents on "Waya" and "Owo." The album revolves around Kuku's own agnosticism when it comes to religion, which is relatively pronounced here. Still, the melodies and rhythms are great and never boring. The sparkling guitar tones and heady percussion suggest West African influences with a little Afro-Latin action, too. Nevertheless, the album shines on all cylinders--even if you cannot understand the lyrics or song origins. "La Derniere Fois" is rather bluesy with languid vocals and steady percussion. Some of the songs are in English, but Kuku breaks language barriers here. This is another high-quality release from Buda Musique! ~ Matthew Forss

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: 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra's 'Abdul The Rabbi'

4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra
Abdul The Rabbi
Self-Release

The whirling dervish melodies of 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra are not your typical musical fanfare. For example, the instrumental group combines heady, brass-inflected rhythms with a slight Afro-beat repertoire. The music is distinctly Klezmer and Balkan with light jazz, rock, psych, and avant-garde elements to boot. The group plays trumpet, reeds, sax, trombone, guitar, bass, and drums. The writhing mix of sounds is very entrancing and delightful with little room for complaints. The Atlanta-based group combines funk, jazz, rock, big band, and experimental sounds for a good dose of melody and rhythm. The truly pan-world sound is contemporary and traditional. The punchy rhythms and funkadelic jams are akin to Dengue Fever's arrangements--if they came in contact with some Balkan brilliance. Anyone familiar with instrumental Balkan music will love the Klezmer connotations and West African connections. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Alpha Yaya Diallo's 'Imme'

Alpha Yaya Diallo
Imme
Jericho Beach Music

Alpha Yaya Diallo hails from Guinea, but is based in Canada. The performer’s sixth release, Imme, is without a doubt, one of the best. The eleven track release is littered with Afro-pop melodies and rhythms every fan of African music will love. The extremely catchy songs contain a plethora of strings, percussion, and vocals throughout. You will hear violin, viola, guitars, harmonica, mandolin, bass, n’goni, balafon, keyboards, and drums. This music is steeped in Conakry culture with lively rhythms and joyous vocals. Anyone with an interest in West African music will love the music of Alpha Yaya Diallo. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hijos de Agueybana's 'Agua del Sol'

Hijos de Agueybana
Agua del Sol
Tumi Music

Puerto Rico's Hijos de Agueybana play bomba music on their latest offering, Agua del Sol. Bomba music is a richly-textured drum and dance music form born out of a group of Africans forced to work sugar plantations. The barrel drums and vocal choruses make the music stand out with tons of rhythm and magical musical textures. The group is led by Otoqui Reyes and consists of eight musicians. THe largely traditional nature of the vocals, drumming, and assorted percussion make Agua del Sol soar high with African ambiance. The thirteen tracks are rich with vibrant vocals and drumming, which resemble West African traditions in a contemporary form. The only sense of modernity is captured in the opening song, "Saludo al Sol," which includes an electronic pan flute sound that plays throughout the mostly instrumental piece. Anyone interested in the traditional music of Puerto Rico should find Hijos de Agueybana in their repertoire. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sousou & Maher Cissoko's 'Stockholm-Dakar'

Sousou & Maher Cissoko
Stockholm-Dakar
Ajabu

The link between Sweden and Senegal is not too distant, as Sousou & Maher Cisssoko are evidence of its close association--at least from a musical perspective. Stockholm-Dakar is a thrilling album with loads of mbalax drumming and kora melodies with young, fresh vocals in Mandinka, Swedish, Wolof, and English. The liner notes contain English translations. The fast rhythms of the opener, "Nama Nala," as well as "Bamba," "Badia," and "Sunkotou Njiima," keep up the brisk pace. Sousou, a singer and guitarist, hails from Sweden, while Maher, a kora and calabash artist, hails from Senegal. The music is steeped in the griot traditions of West Africa. Anyone with a passion for kora music should acquire the album. Though, anyone familiar with West African music will eat it up. Add a little kora with ngoni and a dash of sabar, and you will have a delicious mix of Senegalese music on your plate. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Abdoulaye Traore & Mohamed Diaby's 'Debademba'

Abdoulaye Traore & Mohamed Diaby

Debademba

Chapa Blues

The France-based duo of Burkina Faso-native and guitarist Abdoulaye Traore with Ivory Coast-singer Mohamed Diaby present Debademba (Big Family) as an astounding release of African blues, fusion, Andalusian rhythms, and Afro-Latin influences. The duo is joined by other singers, including Awa and Fatou Diawarra. The fusion-rhythms of "Agnakamina" seems to include some slight South Asian moods, while the fast percussion and fluid flutes on "Ma cherie" display the virtuosity of the performers. The cheery, blues-driven "Toulamanga" and "Loundotemena" evoke the spirit of Ali Farka Toure and other names in West African guitar music. "Kiefali (Guerrier)" is a classic, folksy and bluesy kind of song perfect for listening to on a road trip in a Land Rover from point A to point B. The final song, "Thomas Sankara", is a salsa-type tune named after the former revolutionary and president of Burkina Faso of the same name. Though mostly instrumentally-driven, Debademba is still vocally strong and an enjoyable listening experience. Fans of Afro-Latin music, salsa, guitar, blues, folk, fusion, and Afro-Franco projects should include Traore & Diaby in their music library. ~ Matthew Forss

LP Review: K. Frimpong's Ghanaian Highlife

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas [vinyl]

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas

Continental Records

The four-song vinyl release by the late-K. Frimpong is a testament to his energetic, Ghanaian highlife music originally from the 1970's Ofo Bros. label. The vinyl edition is released by Secret Stash Records out of Minneapolis, MN. Vocalist K. Frimpong is backed by his Cubano Fiestas orchestra of fourteen members on vocals, guitars, drums, congas, piano, trumpet, synth, sax, and percussion. The faster paced rhythms and psychedelic textures border on palm wine music from Africa's Western coast. Though not structurely too dissimilar, palm wine guitar music developed earlier and was so-named due to frequent imbibing of palm wine made from palm tree flower sap. Nevertheless, K. Frimpong is as addictive as palm wine. Side 2 only contains one track: "Adam Nana (Medley)", which is a fourteen-minute romp through the Ghanaian jungle of sounds that are spectacular at the very least. The three other five-to-eight-minute tracks on Side 1 represent K. Frimpong's awe-inspiring, highlife beats that can only seem to come out of West Africa. If Ghanaian highlife is what you are craving, then look no further than K. Frimpong and His Cubana Fiestas. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Diogal's 'Urban Spirit'

Diogal

Urban Spirit

Wasia/Playasound

Born in Senegal and living in France, Diogal has bridged both musical countries into his own infectious Afro-pop selections. A seemingly uncanny musical similarity to Mauritania's Daby Toure, Diogal's musical poetry sung in Wolof is a pleasant production of catchy, contemporary songs. Urban Spirit is a lively mix of what happens when old (language) and new (contemporary production/instruments) harmoniously collide. The groovy rhythms, guitar playing, and Diogal's spirited voice sets the tone for a great musical journey. This is not your average Afro-pop listening experience. "Bok Tuma" is a lively gem with an Afro-rock outro and the final track, "Weet", is a peaceful vocal tune accompanied by guitar and light percussion. The moving "Thiow Li" is a beautiful ballad sure to catch the ears of listeners everywhere. Seek out Diogal's Urban Spirit and you will not be disappointed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Senegal's Carlou D

Carlou D

Muzikr

World Village

Senegalese musician, Carlou D, is a fixture in the Dakar music scene. A vocalist and guitarist, Carlou D provides a young, hip voice in the West African music arena. His latest release, Muzikr, is so-named for its reference to music (mu-) and Islamic/Sufi ties (-zikr). This is not your typical traditional Sufi music chants or rock/hip hop album. It is catchy, contemporary music with a variety of instrumentation including bass, kora, ngoni, keyboards, drums, sax, and other instruments. The music is pleasant to listen to and each track is noticeably different. A familiar voice to many, Youssou N'Dour, lends his voice on track six. Overall, Muzikr can be appropriately categorized as a new genre of contemporary West African Islamic pop music. Whatever you call it, Carlou D will move you, inspire you, and make you think. It is very good 'muzik'. The liner notes provide song summaries in English and French. ~ Matthew Forss