Rough Guide (label)
12 April 2012 (released)
14 April 2012
Music creativity comes and goes. Sometimes, it seems as though there’s a dry period. Then, all of a sudden it just seems to explode. Nobody can explain quite why. However, if you’re in a long drought, you don’t really care what causes it to rain buckets again; you’re just happy to have water again.
Such is the case with African roots music. This Rough Guide compilation spotlights some of African roots music’s best practitioners, including Staff Benda Bilili and the Bedouin Jerry Can Band. And you can’t get much roots-ier than some of these sounds, which include instruments built from junk-yard materials.
Listening to the Kenge Kenge’s “Amilly” may leave you scratching your head for a few minutes. It sounds a little like something straight out of India. That is, at least, until the talking drums come in and the vocals interlock with each other beautifully.
Staff Benda Bilili is represented by “Je T’Aime,” which has one of those low, funky grooves that sounds a lot like the kind of stuff Talking Heads took to the top of the charts back in the ‘80s. It has a squeaky lead vocal that brings to mind roots reggae. However, this is an upbeat beat, and not a dread slow reggae groove.
The Bedouin Jerry Can Band’s contribution, “Ya el Yaleladana,” also has a bit of an Eastern feel to its string laden beginning, as well as its melodic choir backing. There is a raga overall feel to the track. It’s fast, which is the way some Indian music builds its way to, although in this case, it starts out fast and stays this way throughout.
African roots music continues to be a strong bass for quality world music. If Lady Gaga has somehow distracted you from exploring what’s been going on in Africa lately, this fine collection will help you get caught up.
