|
  Toubab Krewe
Toubab Krewe (Upstream Records UP252, 2005)
The word "toubab" reportedly means something along the lines of "white guy" in
much of West Africa, so there's some degree of self-poking humor in a band from
Asheville, NC naming themselves Toubab Krewe. But the laughs stop there. These
guys are serious, having spent considerable time in West Africa and learning a
good deal. The result is their self-titled debut CD, on which a rockish core of
guitar, bass and drums is laced with African kora (21-stringed harp) kamelngoni
lute and djembe percussion for an instrumental jam session that skips nimbly
back and forth between Africa and America and loses nothing in transit.
This is not, however, simply rock and roll with a few ethnic touches.
African rhythms and nuances are at the forefront most of the time, plus a
healthy undercurrent of blues and the kind of dry Saharan ambiance familiar to
fans of Malian music. What's more, nine of the album's ten tracks are
traditional pieces, and Toubab Krewe's arrangements of them make it clear that
they've gleaned plenty. Crinkly guitar riffs, freewheeling acoustic and electric
solos, chattering percussion and an edgy blend of of authenticity and
unpredictability grace tunes both blazing and cool.
Alternately hard as diamonds and smooth as silk, this excellent release is
one of the best of the year. For more information about the band go to
www.toubabkrewe.com.
[Buy
Toubab Krewe].
|
