African Guitar

Various Artists - Beginner's Guide To African Funk (2009) [3CD BoxSet] {Nascente}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.06 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 424 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2009 Nascente / Demon Music | NSBOX056
Funk / Soul / World Music / African

When it comes to world music, there are two labels that do it better than anyone else for the common man, Rough Guides and Nascenté with their Beginner's Guide To… series. While other labels certainly do a fine job, these two companies have a way of producing their recordings to appeal to those who have or may have heard something and want to know more. This triple-disc set, Beginner's Guide to African Funk, is no exception. It is loaded with historically and culturally important recordings from across the continent and styles that, while all modern (from the late '70s forward), are rooted in much older folk traditions.

Not very many reggae albums acknowledge Alan Lomax in the credits. But then, African Head Charge (a band with a constantly changing membership led by percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah) doesn't really make typical reggae albums. Although the one-drop beat (provided on this album by Lincoln "Style" Scott) influences everything and the basslines have a typical tidal undertow, the stuff that Noah layers on top of the mix has more to do with ethnomusicology than the dancehall. The song titles say it all: "Cattle Herders Chant," a field recording of call-and-response chanting overlaid with Nyahbinghi drums and highlife guitar; "My God," eerie, minor-key African-American church singing supported by a chugging reggae bassline, bare-bones drumming, and the sound of running water; "Deer Spirit Song," an unidentifiable indigenous song in 9/8 meter with a gently driving rockers beat and occasional sound effects thrown in. This is an exceptionally beautiful album, but in a deeply strange way.