Artist:
Siama
Matuzungidi
Title:
Rivers
Label:
Unknown
Released:
10th
June
I receive hundreds
of promo submissions every day that covers all kinds of music
(occasionally strange choices considering the title of the blog) the
majority however, are world music and I simply don't have the time to
dig out all the gems and tend to stick with the artists and labels I know. However, after hearing a Titeknots to a re-mix of
Dele Sosimi's 'Sanctuary' courtesy of Andy Hickford's set for the
Quality Music Lovers Show on Boxfrequency.fm it set me in a summery
mood for some African vibes so I opened this e-mail and had a listen.
I often play world music fusions in my own sets however, it doesn't
always have to be about dub versions or re-mixes sometimes it's good
just to hear the original sounds.
In a sense this
release is a fusion of it's own but organic rather than electronic.
Siama Matuzungidi left home at 17, his guitar strapped to his back.
Music has since carried him from his home in the rural Congo across
Africa becoming an accomplished and
respected guitarist known as the Soukous Legend. Having relocated to
Minnesota has pooled together a group of musicians from around the
world who currently re-side in the city to work on this album for a
fresh take on these Soukous pieces. This collaboration retains not
only his guitar work but the vocal aspect and summery feel good
factor of his native music but adds subtle dimensions such as soft
and melodic jazzy piano, Carnatic Indian vocals, classical cello and
more.
The album commences
with 'Jungle Zombie' where a horn intro leads us to the guitar and
vocals before a lovely piano breakdown leads us back to the horns.
'Maisha Mazuri' begins in a Carnatic style and adds some excellent
guitar work with an almost sitar like feel. While 'Mombasa' on the
other hand retains more of an upbeat and happy vibe that brings the
vocals to the forefront. The kind of vibe you get (for want of a
better example) with Peter Gabriel & Youssou N'dour's 'Shaking
the Tree'.
Overall for me it's
not club music as such just good clean, happy music that's great for
relaxing in the garden in the summer with a cool drink. While those
of you in the vicinity of Minneapolis in the U.S.A. can catch the
experience live on May the 31st at the Cedar Cultural
Centre.
Reviewed by Woodzee.
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