Most albums consist of an artist leading a single group, or a single group focusing on performing a series of songs. Here, we’ve got artists that mix and match group sizes and sounds in order to convey messages about life or nature.
Pianist/composer Ryan Cohan uses the talents of John Wojciechowski/sax/flute, Geof Bradfield/reeds, Tito Carrilo/tp-fh, Lorin Cohen/b, Kobie Watkins/dr and Samuel Torres/perc to put together a multi-textured and themed suite that goes through the various currents and windings via music before finally reaching its natural destination, reflecting various moods in Central, Southern and Eastern Africa. Starting with a gracefully improvised piano so, the sounds quickly turn to agitated horns and percussion in “Call and Response” to joyful kineticism on “Last Night at the Mannenberg.” Luminous reeds are prevalent on “Kampala Moon” while a foreboding and aggressive “Storm Rising” exhausts itself into a somber “Forsaken” which features Carrillos’ agonizing horn. This tour is harrowing, but worth the price of the guide.
Meanwhile, Cuban born pianist Roberto Fonseca takes time off from his gig with the Buena Vista Social Club mixes modern electronics with traditional acoustic instruments. Artists from all over the world include Baba Sissoko/perc, Etienne M’Bappe/b, Munir Hossni/g, Sekou Kouyate/kora, Joel Hierrezuelo/perc, Ramses Rodriguez/dr and Felipe Cabrera/b, as well as vocalists Faudel, Fatoumata Diaara, Assane Mboup and Mike Ladd. The opening “80’s” is energetic and celebratory, while “Bibisa” mixes African strings, Diawara’s voice and Fonseca’s piano to create and enticing flavor. Afro-Cuban rhythms are in abundance on “Gnawa Stop” and for further direction, “Mi Negra Ave Maria” has a standard piano trio which includes an improvised poem delivered by Mike Ladd. The range and depth of this release is both inspiring and exhausting, making you wonder what he can do for an encore!