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Baka Beyond
East and West
Narada World
72435-43725-2-0
To understand the continuing influence of Paul Simon's Graceland, all you have to do is listen to the opening track on Baka Beyon'd East To West. Disregarding the fusion of African and Western music, the bass line is straight from You Can Call Me Al at points.
It's not surprising to hear this from Baka Beyond. Sometimes it's as if the band doesn't have a sound of its own. Elements of Capercaille's Celtic fusion pop up, along with the influences of other English roots outfits. Yet Baka Beyond-the group combines Central African sound with UK roots, for those not familiar with them-is able to transcend their tendency towards derivative music, their saving grace an ability to keep jamming together until something new pops out of the mix.
That said, the group hasn't appreciably progressed beyond 1993's Spirit of the Forest. On its fifth album, the same beautiful if predictable mix of sounds dominate. Occasionally, some real vigour is injected into the proceedings, as on An Gwirder, a percussion-driven tune that wouldn't be out of place on one of Mickey Hart's Planet Drum recordings. But some of East to West is studiously world beat, as in Ra-Li-Os trendy-five-years ago flamenco (a rather odd application since it's a love song popular in Scotland and Nova Scotia), while other songs sound tired, as much a fault of Su Hart's rather lackluster voice.
Yet East to West has its moments. Wandering Spirit sizzles from the sound of the energetic playing of the uilleann pipes crossed with African percussion. And Rakish Paddy, a reel, has a bit of snap to it. While I wouldn't say that Baka Beyond is laid back to the point of being comatose, the 12-person band could shrug off their lethargy and make more of an effort. For so many people involved in this effort, this album is disappointingly light on texture, complexity and new ideas.
-By Charles Mandel 04/01/03
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