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CD Review
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Nashville City Paper, CD Review >>
Papa NoelCafé Noir(Tumi)Congolese guitarist and vocalist Papa Noel links African and Cuban rhythms with Café Noir, the second release featuring his Bana Congo band. While Noel’s playing emphasizes textures and understated statements rather than lengthy note barrages, Noel’s solos reveal sizable doses of jazz and funk influence, while the band’s arrangements blend traditional African drumming and spiraling percussive foundations augmented by classical guitars and trumpets along bongos and Cuban tres. Add vocals done in languages from French to Sango, Lingala and Wolof, and it’s the sound of a 21st century African ensemble delivering slashing, magical dance music whose grooves are irresistible, yet addresses issues like poverty, oppression and injustice in moving songs like “Africa Mokili Mobimba,” “Democratic (Central Africa Rhythm)” and “Salsa Africaine (Afro-Cuban Son).” Special guest saxophonist Manu Dibango adds powerful licks on “Soukous Son” and “Africa Mokili Mobimba,” but it’s Papa Noel’s charged guitar and vocals that propel Café Noir. 03/22/07 >> go there
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