Lots of kinetic sounds bouncing around on these two releases, but with enough variety and lyricism to keep you well involved.
Tigger Benford composes all the pieces, plays the marimba and other things that you hit with sticks along with Arthur Kell/b, Todd Isler/dr, David Schulman/vio, Jesse Manno/bouzouki, Rex Benincasa/perc and other exotic cameo artists. The Asian flair on pieces such as the title track gives hints of early Weather Report-lots of exotic Asia Minor sounds that lean forward, while things like an amadinda deliver African rumblings and tones. The violin and oud make a wondrous mix on pieces such as “Sifnos Dove” and some post bop jazz is felt on Peter Jones’ piano on “One Chicken Too Many.” Intriguing and adventurous.
Yosvany Terry goes into the deep parts of Afro Cuban music here, still using his collection of saxes, but more than likely relying on percussion instruments along with instruments like the coro, yonofo, wewe and apitli’ along with standard fair such as guitar, drums and piano. Lots of vocals are provided as chants or poems by Pedro Martinez and Ishmael Reed, while the grooves go from funk (“New Throned King”) to brooding and thoughtful (“Healing Power”). Terry’s soprano weaves through handclaps on”Laroko” and his alto soars on “Walking Over Wave” while there are vocal recitations on “Ilere’” and “Mase Nadodo” to create a feeling of a village meeting.