My heart goes out to Su Hart and Martin Cradick of Baka Beyond for their music and humanitarian efforts.  Beginning in 1992, this musical couple fell in love with the Baka pygmies of Cameroon and have made regular visits to work on both musical and humanitarian projects related to the Baka people.  In 1993, Baka Beyond, a global band, based in Bath, England released Spirit of the Forest which highlighted tribal music of the Baka people and over the years the band released several collaborative albums with the Baka people.  Su and Martin have also garnered frequent flyer miles, built a sustainable recording studio and cemented a bond with the Baka community.  A portion of royalties from sales of Baka Beyond's CDs is returned to the Baka people and is used for the good of their community.  Today the Baka people have an association which gives them legal status, they have their first nightclub in Cameroon's deep forest, a recording studio that is solar powered, a health clinic that relies on alternative medicine and they are preserving their culture.  And their traditional drumming, chanting and musical prowess are receiving international recognition. 

During this 13 year journey, the relationship of the members of Baka Beyond which includes musicians from Great Britain, France, and various African countries and the Baka people has reaped their own genre of music beyond Afro-Celtic fare.  A beautiful marriage between African and Celtic music traditions has emerged with out unnecessary sequencing or electronic manipulation.  It's as if the natural cadence of Celtic music and the polyrhythms of the Baka people were fated to flow into one another, all the pieces fit perfectly into a musical jig saw puzzle and the results are astounding.  Baka Beyond's latest CD, Rhythm Tree is not just a humanitarian effort.  It also represents musical progression that occurred because the musicians honored trust and friendship.  Baka Beyond's music has blossomed over the years and currently is in full bloom.   Their guitars, (performed by Cradick and Baka musicians, Pelembir Dieudonne and Mbeh Prosper), anchor solidly to warm bass and polyrhythms as well as,  supporting lush vocal harmonies of both the Celtic and indigenous origins.  This music comes from soul-centeredness which not only has its intentions in the right place, but offers an earful of rhythms, melodies, harmonies and tribal chants.

On the title track, infectious polyrhythms, tribal calls, a mouth harp, guitars, a cacophony of deep forests sounds and Celtic flute are seamlessly  woven into the song.  Like all of the tracks on the CD, this song also possesses relentless effervescence.  The Celtic classic is a song Su shared with the Baka people around campfires, and on this recording it features lilting harmonies sung by Su and Denise Rowe.  Bright sounds of Congolese guitar also pepper this CD and can be heard on Boulez Boulez and other tracks.  Hush Hush, an old Scottish tune, reflects on indigenous people losing their land in the name of progress.  And finally the bird-like traditional chants called "yelli," (used to charm animals for a successful hunt), begins and ends this CD experience.  In that respect, the ten songs here feel like a ritual with a beginning, middle and an end.  We are left with a hopeful feeling that we can all live together peacefully on the planet, building studios, making music, and giving others legal identities.  We can protect the earth and its stewards.  What more can anyone desire? Su and Martin are living the best life possible, giving and receiving blessings at every turn while also providing listeners with a humanitarian soundtrack that is a feast for ears and hearts.  Visit Baka Beyond's site where you can purchase CDs, watch videos and make a donation.

PLH