
(Review/bw photo by Lance/colour photo courtesy of Mike Tilley).
This probably won't be my "Gig of the Year" but I'm sure it will be a contender! What is for sure is that it will be the most unique. Five American musicians playing a fusion of jazz and West African music and featuring the kora - a lute shaped, 20 plus stringed harp-sounding instrument originally indigenous to West Africa but now more widely used. Mathis' instrument was made by, quote: "a hippy guy out in the Oregon mountains".

On bass guitar BM-K kept the pulsating rhythm afloat easily adapting to the many variations of tempo and time. McCullough, perhaps the most straight ahead player jazzwise had plenty fire in his belly whilst leader Oliver dazzled with his vamps and riffs and forays around the keyboard.
The music itself emanated from such faraway places as Mali, The Gambia, Senegal and points west. There were similarities with the township music of South Africa but only slight. This was a whole different ballgame. At times it almost had the feel of a jazzified Irish jig!
Feet were tapping all around me and more than one person regretted there wasn't space enough for the audience to shake a limb or two.
Earlier this month we reviewed their new CD - New Cities - well worth having as a memento of a memorable evening.
Lance.
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