Dirtmusic – Troubles (Glitterbeat
Records)
LP/CD/DL
10 June 2013
In 2001, 1 Giant Leap released their
eponymously titled album made from their travels around the world. They involved well-known artists such as
Neneh Cherry, Eddi Reader and Michael
Stipe and mixed them with local sounds mainly from Africa. The album that the ex-Faithless members
produced was a critical milestone and even produced a hit single in the Maxi
Jazz/Robbie Williams accompanied My Culture.
This year, Dirtmusic (alias Chris Eckman and Hugo Race) have taken that
theory and gone on to make a magical album of quite stunning quality.
The story goes that after the
departure of Chris Brokaw, the remaining members of Dirtmusic travelled to
Bamako in Mali with lyrics but nothing else – no songs, no tunes, no
ideas. Joined by the likes of Ben Zabo
and Samba Toure they produced sessions which turned into this album.
Straight into an urban African
groove is opener, Chicken Scratch. It’s
hot, humid tones are infectious, the voice and sound not dissimilar to Massive
Attack, but, the deep-rooted dirtiness of this is marvellous with its
screeching guitar sound and funk guitar sound.
Zabo guests on vocal. It’s
amazing played loud.
The tracks on Troubles are a mix of
West African rhythms and rock’n’roll which creates an incisive and unique
journey in sound. Singing in Songhai,
Tamasheq and Bambara, as well as English, it’s true success is the meeting of
Africa and the West in equal importance.
La Paix features the incredible
vocals of rising star Aminata Wassidje Traore which together with some amazing
guitar work by Eckman and Race creates a stunning track. Title track, Troubles, a wonderful Blues
infected piece – “I got up this morning, first person I met was the
Devil”. Indeed.
Traditional Malian sounds in the
form of a soku are incorporated into God Is A Mystery. With added monotone electronics it becomes
atmospheric and haunting. Track 2,
Fitzcarraldo has more galloping sounds, traditional percussion and floating
guitars. Belgian violinist Catherine
Graindorge is brought in to add a further twist.
This album is rock, it’s roll, it’s
funk, it’s African, it’s an aural delight, and, if the album itself wasn’t
enough, the packaging is a joy. A triple
fold out sleeve with an integral twenty-eight page booklet. It’s an awesome package. There’s even enough tracks from the sessions
for another album early next year!
Not only is this one of the best
albums of 2013, it may well also be one of the best albums you’ll ever hear.
10/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 8/06/13 - here
No comments:
Post a Comment