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: Karikatura's 'Eyes Wide'

Karikatura
Eyes Wide
Ropeadope

The New York City-based Karikatura produces a worldwide release of music inspired by many different countries and cultures. For example, there is nostalgic psych-funk inherent in "Someone," while a Balkan-Klezmer beat pervades "Brighton Beach" and a reggae beat percolates through "NYC Hustle." The band comprises of Ryan Acquaotta on lead vocals and percussion, Dima Kay on guitars, samples, back-up vocals, and glockenspeil, Eric Legaspi on bass, Morgan Greentstreet on drums, percussion, back-up vocals, and samples, Joe MF Wilson on sax and glockenspiel, and Ric Becker on trombone. Karikatura seems to capture different musical styles and make them their own. Where else could you find Zimbabwean chimurenga music and Klezmer music all on the same album? Eyes Wide is meant to open one's eyes and hearts to other musical styles and cultures. Karikatura still retains a unique voice amid all the influences and instruments. Everyone should check out Karikatura. ~ 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: Skatalites' 'Walk With Me'

Skatalites
Walk With Me
Moon Dust Records

Based in Jamaica, Skatalites have been amazing crowds since the 1960's. Today, they release yet another album in their historic music-making process. The repertoire is composed of Lester Sterling on alto sax, Doreen Shaffer on vocals, Azemobo Audu on tenor sax, Andrae Murchison on trombone, Kevin Batchelo on trumpet, Val Douglas on bass guitar, Natty Frenchy on gutiar, Cameron Greenlee on keyboards, Lloyd Knibb on drums, and Trevor Thompson on drums. In addition, there are guest musicians on vocals and trumpet. This is Lloyd Knibb's last recording before his passing in 2012. There are enticing reggae-induced and jazz-inflected tunes of instrumental heaven that are not to be missed. The heady rhythms and punchy horns are unmatched by other groups. Fans of Caribbean, Latin, and Jamaican bands will love the groovy tunes. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Samite's 'Trust'

Samite
Trust
Musicians For World Harmony

Ugandan-born and US-based, Samite brings an acoustic style to East African music that is instrumental, upbeat, and brimming with sparkling notes of contemporary beauty. On Trust, which is the soundtrack for a documentary film--Addiction Incorporated--Samite paints images of acoustic beauty with twinkling kalimba, airy flute, folksy accordion, jazzy trumpet, and other assorted winds, strings, and percussion. The mostly instrumental work contains not only acoustic guitar and some electric guitar, but penny whitles, piccolo, cello, and trombone. The upbeat, rumba and highlife style of the instrumental music is very enjoyable overall. Fans of African jazz, mbira, folk, highlife, contemporary African music, and instrumental fusion will love Samite's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss