Brief Reviews: G-I

Gangbé Brass Band: Togbé

Contre Jour

The second outing from one of Benin's most innovative outfits finds them more raucous and inventive that on their debut. Their unique mix of traditional and modern fairly pelts out in a joyous rush, with plenty of heavy percussion behind the horns. There's no one quite like them, and that's a compliment.

Gary Stewart: Best of the Hightone Years

Hightone

Maybe not as powerful as his very best material (his prime years had passed by the time of his hightone albums), when Stewart rises above the country cliches, he's a superb artist. The only problem, of course, is that he doesn't rise above them often enough....

Geoff Muldaur: Blues Boy

Bullseye Blues Basics

Classic stuff from a classic singer. Culled from two late '70s albums, this is (except for the last two tracks) an album the Band was always trying to make. Soulful vocals on blues and soul cuts, stunning guitar from Amos Garrett, it might, in retrospect, be one of the best blues albums of its time. But what was he thinking about with that mustache???

Gondwana: Made in Jamacia

RAS

Solid album of dependable, if never incendiary roots reggae from the Chilean outfit. Whether this album's made in Jamacia remains unknown (not credited), but they do continue to be a beacon of the spirit of Marley in fine style.

Grupo Fiesta: Grupo Fiesta

Paraiso Sonico

Reissue of a debut by a Latin rock/pop band with plenty of potential, which will likely be fulfilled in the future. At times they can burn like early Santana. at times they're a classy pop act. But they need more material, a definite focus to their work, and some better production.

Harry Cox: The Bonny Labouring Boy

Topic

Two CDs of unissued recordings from one of the greatest singers of the English traditiona. A treat, or what? Well, yes, it is; Cox takes you into his Norfolk, and it's like watching history unfold in his voice. Some songs are familiar, most not. All are gems. What more do you need?

Hedningarna: 1989-2003

Northside

An excellent compilation that highlights the way this Swedish band have taken chances d broadened traditional music during their career - which has gone through several stages in 14 years. Add on two storming new tracks, and a Sasha remix that proves Swedish folk and trance are quite compatible, and you have a winning combination.

Hillbilly Idol: Hillbilly Idol

Slewfoot

Fabulous playing, a total command of almost every great country style, even in the writing - but behind it there's not a lot of personality; you just wonder 'Who are these guys?' It ends up being pastiche, not real.

Hobart Smith: Blue Ridge Legacy

Rounder

Superb collection of vintage material from the Appalachian multi-instrumentalist and singer, much of it previously unreleased. A remarkable musician, he was the master of many instruments - and this, perhaps surprisingly, includes a piece on electric guitar. With his signature "The Cuckoo Bird" and his mix of the rural white and blues traditions, he was part of the development of American music.

Hugh Masekela: Time

Columbia/Legacy

Masekela sounds more and more at home in South Africa, and this release touches on politics, memories, and even revisits some of his old musical pastures. He's in good, joyful voice, although it would have been nice to have heard more of his trumpet playing. No major surprises anywhere, but a pleasant listen.

Idrissa Diop: Yakar

Tinder

Reminiscent, in a way, of those '80s African albums recorded in Paris - lots of high gloss, but very little soul. Lashings of guitar, touches of fretless bass, all aimed at a 'contemporary' feel that's bound to date it. Hard to tell if substance conquers style, because the layers of style are so thick.

Inle Myint Maung and Yi Yi Thant: Mahagita: Harp and Vocal Music of Burma

Smithsonia Folkways

In these classical songs from Burma, the harp and voice are completely equal partners on some of the repertoire of 'great song.' Superbly performed, with eliptical, wandering melodies, they give an airing to the harp, which has rarely been heard in the west - a shame, because it can be aching beautiful, especially in the hands of the late Maung.

Irene Farrera & Venezuela Viva: Serenata

Paraiso Sonico

Stunning live disc from a powerful Venezuelan singer who's rooted in, but not confined to, her tradition. A mix of originals and covers (including the powerful "El Brujo De La Sabana"), with a band that brings magic to the table whenver they pick up their instruments. Excellent.

Israel Vibration: Dub Combo

RAS

Drawn from the band's last two releases, this pulls some of their music into the dub fold. And while it's better than fair, it's not real roots dub of the kind Perry and Tubby used to make. Still, when the bass hits deep, it still satisfies.

Issa Bagayogo: Timbuktu

Six Degrees

A mailan singer and kamele n'goni player who got an airing last year returns with plenty of thick beats behind him. He's a wonderful singer and writer, but the arrangements, reminscent of the Frikyawa material, sometimes seem stody, opposed to the liquid fluidity of the music they're accompanying. A curate's egg.

Brief Reviews: G-I

Gangbé Brass Band: Togbé

Gary Stewart: Best of the Hightone Years

Geoff Muldaur: Blues Boy

Gondwana: Made in Jamacia

Grupo Fiesta: Grupo Fiesta

Harry Cox: The Bonny Labouring Boy

Hedningarna: 1989-2003

Hillbilly Idol: Hillbilly Idol

Hobart Smith: Blue Ridge Legacy

Hugh Masekela: Time

Idrissa Diop: Yakar

Inle Myint Maung and Yi Yi Thant: Mahagita: Harp and Vocal Music of Burma

Irene Farrera & Venezuela Viva: Serenata

Israel Vibration: Dub Combo

Issa Bagayogo: Timbuktu

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