Sounds and thoughts from all over the planet, vying for North American ears…
Popular in Brazil, the pandeiro is a hand drum that looks like a tambourine, but has a much richer texture and flexability. Sergio Krakowski uses it in various moods along with Todd Neufeld/g and Vitor Goncalves/p. The album was recorded in one 42 minute take, so the songs veer into one another, as well as the moods. The album opens with an ambient “Founding Chart” and the team gains some traction with the trio peaking for some wonderful celebrations on”Path of Roses” and “Choro De Baile.” The interplay is sublime and sensitive, with the dynamics veering towards subtlety and conversation.
The Baboons Band is a septet of Majica/voc-perc, Isaac Rodriguez/voc-g, Menuela Pila/dr, Miguel Rega/perc, Dominick Cama/as-ts-fl, Paul M essina/ts-fl and Michael Mut/b. They aren’t shy about adding guests on the tracks, with lots of saxes, keyboards and various stringed instruments making the stage fill up quickly. The Florida team mixes themes and moods like a juke box, ranging from an Eastern European instrumental with flying saxes on “Balkan Thing” to steamy salsa with sizzling grooves as on “Peaquena Habanera” and “Soon Come Samba.” Even a dash of 60s pops into the party, as garage band atmospheres jump into the pool on “”Good Good” and “Cebolla.” Lots of funk, groove and extroverted energy is emitted here. Gotta be a gas in concert. Caffeine is supplied!
Mixtures of Africa and Haiti are blended on the AHEO, comporised of Tony Allen/dr, Jean-Philippe Dary/b, Olaf Hundlkey, Mark Mulholland/g and a collection of percussionists and vocals. The mood and atmosphere is surprisingly spacey, with lots of moody keyboards as on “Salilento” as Erol Josue brings earthy vocals to “Poze” and “Mon Ami Tezin.” Sanba Zao is veatured on the most tunes, as delicacy is dominant with chordal textures on “Yanvalou” and “Wongolo.” The fires are cast low here, with sparks only catching on intermittently.