Ah! What a breath of revelation is found on this latest release from those great folks of Putomayo World Music. The title of the disc tells it all, the sojourn, the musical journey and arrival in the States, is so very well depicted, that this rates as the strongest release from this label. On the disc you’ll hear a collection of musicians, from Mali, an enormous, landlocked country in West Africa, as well as our own home grown traditional blues giants John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Taj Mahal.
This keen aspect of this collection is that each tune seques into the next. Chords are aligned to display similarity. The cohesiveness of the disc illustrates the common denominator of the music. Too much is made about the roots of American native music. Sure, there is the Celtic influence. No denying the influence of European trained composers. Yet, there can be no dispute that the first string instruments were created in the Middle East by Arabs and migrated to Africa along with Islam. The soul of American music does not have classical roots. It has African roots. Anyone listening to this disc will have the same happy conclusion. The traditions of Mali music are so close to our American Blues genre. This is due to a sharing of the minor pentatonic, or five-note, scales which are not unlike the distinctive blues scales.
Putumayo continues to do those who study music a great service in their compilations. To demonstrate kinship among musicians is a great gift. To listen to this disc is a desire to receive an education. Any of this label’s work functions in the same fashion. Lord, don’t I know it. I have reviewed enough of these discs, and I admit I have learned a hell of a lot.
So, expose yourself. No, not in the public! Expose yourself to this great and happy music! Get to know Mali musicians like Habib Koite, Boubacar Traore, and Baba Djan. There’s a whole lot of world music happening out there folks. Mick and the boys can’t keep playing forever!
- SABA
****1/2