Kasai Allstars - In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of his Enemy by MagicMost listeners are not going to understand any of the lyrics on the nine songs contained here since they are sung in various African dialects. With that in mind, the rather lengthy album title may or may not give a hint as to what these songs are about. It really doesn't matter though; it's very easy to appreciate the beauty of the musicianship on display. The Kasai Allstars are a large group, twenty-five members strong, that's based in Kinshasa, Congo. Most songs are a swirl of rhythm; thumb piano, xylophone and some electric guitar adding to a beat created on slit drum and/or resonator drum. Those unfamiliar with African music will still hear some familiar things here. It's tempting to say that the Allstars are showing an influence but it's the other way around; these sounds originated in mother Africa. On the thumb piano showcase "Mukuba" you can hear the seeds of American blues as might be interpreted by Taj Mahal and "Beyond the 7th Moon" is a jazzy xylophone-based instrumental that veers into Sun Ra territory. A listen to "Quick as White" quickly reveals the source of the worldbeat that the Police favored on their early albums and oddly enough the song's vocalist sounds quite a bit like the young Sting. While all of the music here is in a way hypnotic, it's the vocal work that makes this album shine. "Ts***ua Fuila Mbuloba" is performed nearly a cappella with deep bass soloists trading lines with high harmonizers to stunning effect. Fans of African vocal music will be hard-pressed to find a more stimulating new release than this one. And about that lengthy title; this is the third installment in the Congotronics series so feel free to ask for it as Congotronics 3.
Skatalites - Stretching Out-Volume One
The Skatalites are one of the most influential Jamaican groups ever; the ska sound they pioneered in the '60s was lifted by a plethora of California-based party bands and British 2-Toners like Madness, the Selecter, the Beat and the Specials. Stretching Out is a live set recorded in 1983; a reconciliation show after the band had been broken up for a long period of time. Clearly no chops were lost during the lay-off; the band grooves non-stop through twelve tunes beginning with the 6-minute sax and trombone jam "Freedom Sounds." Those two instruments are the dominant features on most of these instrumental tunes as they play the part that would normally be filled by a vocalist. A couple of tunes do have lyrics ("Come Dung," "Big Trombone") but the Skatalites are a dance band so their message is really intended just to give the listener happy feet. Performances of favorites "Guns of Navarone," "Confucius" and "Road Block" are included. Available on vinyl or packaged with Volume 2 as a double-disc CD.
Various Artists - Acoustic Arabia
Putumayo has already released pop, dance and chill-out albums featuring the exotic sounds of the Middle East and North Africa; this time out the material sticks a little closer to the middle of the road with an acoustic collection that would not be out of place playing over a coffee house stereo in any part of the world. "Alger, Alger" by Les Orientales features a female vocalist singing in French with a very French sounding melody, not surprising since the song is done in the style heard in Algerian music halls during World War II. And that is sort of the tone of the entire album; North Africa and the Middle East were for the most part colonized by European nations at one point or another and this music mashes-up vintage European pop styling with traditional indigenous sounds. There are a couple of tunes where Arabic sounds are more than a subtlety though; if you want to fire up the hookah and do a little belly dance you'll find "Les Larmes de Boabdil" by Mousta Largo a very suitable accompaniment.
