Daxaar (Recorded In Africa)

About

Drummer Steve Reid has had a pretty amazing career. He’s played with James Brown, Fela, and Sun Ra, among many others, so he’s no stranger to funky rhythms or visionary experimentation. On <i>Daxaar</i>, Reid collaborates with Kieran Hebden, the electronica artist known as Four Tet, who produced and plays electronics. (The pair previously worked together on <i>Spirit Walk, Exchange Session Vol. 1</i> and <i>Vol. 2</i>, and <i>Tongues</i>.) <i>Daxaar</i>’s excellent band also includes keyboardist Boris Netsvetaev (who served as the album’s musical director), guitarist Jimi Mbaye (a member of Youssou N‘Dour’s group, Super Etoile), trumpeter Roger Ongolo, percussionist Khadim Badji, and bassist Dembel Diop. The hard-driving group doesn’t appear on the opener, “Welcome,” a mellow piece performed by Isa Kouyate on korah and vocals. But after that <i>Daxaar</i> moves into the propulsive material that makes up the rest of the album. The title cut features trumpet and guitar spinning out lines over insistent organ, electronic squiggles, and a simmering rhythm section. On “Don’t Look Back,” the red-hot closer, Mbaye and Ongolo swap statements as drums and percussion delightfully clatter. And the rest of the tracks don’t disappoint, either. <i>Daxaar</i> is great 21st century groove music.

via Apple Music