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CD Review
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Sing Out!, CD Review >>
It's not surprising that the title track of drummer Steve Reid's latest was inspired by Senegalese runners sprinting on a beach. The sound fits the context perfectly. Recorded in Senegal and paying homage to Dakar's old school spelling, Daxaar is a lucid outing for this percussive legend. Since dropping the beat behind Martha and hte Vandellas' "Love is Like a Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street," the man's resume becomes even more impressive: he played behind Motown stalwarts Marvin Gaye and the Temptations; he jammed with Hendrix on a host of recordings now lost; he toured around Africa with Fela Kuti for eight months; he was babysat by Theolonius Monk's wife; he was fired from James Brown's band for being late on two occasions. The last one will sober a cat up. Fortunately, Reid seems as relaxed about life and music as ever on this exceptional six-song album. The opening "Welcome" sets the stage for an acoustic African sojourn, as kora player and vocalist Isa Kouyate sets a serene three-minute stage. That is the last time things stay light. Ripping into the hi-hat on the title track, keys man Boris Netsvetaev and guitarist (and Yossou N'Dour collaborator) Jimi Mbaye are dazzling on the Herbie Hanock-sounding "Jiggy Jiggy." Further wordplay ensues on "Dabronxxar," a Miles Davis-era jam complete with trumpeter Roger Ongolo. Most interesting is Kieran Hebden's role. Reid has been working with the man otherwise known as Four Tet for a number of years, endeared to his ability to play electronics live, so as not to disrupt the jazz aesthetic of showmanship. Hebden, who has amassed an impressive list of re-mixes and studio work over the years, tastefully layers subtle changes in color and tone. For Reid, who has always been about evolving rhythm and genre, the marriage is a beautiful one - as is this entire album, yet another piece of history for the man that can't stop making enough of it.
-DB 06/01/08
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