8/15 int'l genre adds
Date: 15 Aug 2005Label: Smithsonian Folkways
artist: Los Pleneros De La 21
title: Para Todos Ustedes
file under: int’l / latin
grade: A-
Para Todos Ustedes is a successful fusion of some traditional elements of Puerto Rican music with more contemporary influences. Specifically, it draws heavily from the bomba rhythmic and percussive style, and the call-and-response-oriented plena topical song form, though it also bears the marks of salsa and jazz. The shifting percussive rhythms might be the most distinctive feature, while call-and-response vocals also take central position on songs like "Angelito (Little Angel)" (01). Combined with the quick, roving, jazzy guitar patterns, this might sound to some ears like a somewhat Latinized version of some contemporary African music, though such similarities are attributable to both styles having evolved from similar sources. At times the jazz aspects come more to the fore, while the more traditional aspects are accented on an update of a bomba chant, "Campo (Land)/Yo Cantare Esta Boma, (I Shall Sing This Bomba)" (09). There's a little bit of both English and Spanish rap in "Chiviriquiton" (10), but that's the only such interjection in an album that's very much grounded in Puerto Rican styles. (3 ½ stars)
choice cuts: 01, 02, 10, 09
reviewer: Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
Date:15 Aug 2005
Label: Coral Music
artist: Majek Fashek
title: Little Patience
file under: reggae / int’l (Nigeria)
grade: A-
The first album in eight years from Nigerian reggae-funkster Majek Fashek deserves broad Firehouse attention. From the opening James Brown-like count-off on “Let It Shine” (01), you know Fashek’s got the goods. Three parts reggae, one part afrobeat funk, Little Patience is the irie cousin of Femi Kuti’s Live at the Shrine. Indeed, Fela’s “Water No Get Enemy” (08), covered here by Fashek, was also recently covered by Kuti. Both discs also are chock full of tracks with extended playing times. Still, the reggae vibe is the crucial distinction. Fashek even goes acoustic on “Someday, One Day” (11) and can’t help but invoke “Redemption Songs” in a good way. Little Patience will work for both Reggae Children and Planetary Caravan, as well as weekday mixes.
choice cuts: 01, 11, 08, 06, 07
reviewer: bjorn ingvoldstad
posted by Anonymous @ 9:25:00 AM
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