MELVIN GIBBS ELEVATED ENTITY, Ancients Speak (LiveWired):

(4 stars out of 5)

 

Erstwhile Vernon Reid/Rollins Band bassist and programmer Melvin Gibbs weaves field recordings he made in Bahia, Brazil, with funk horns, Afrobeat grooves, hip-hop beats and blistering Hendrixesque guitar on this audacious exploration of musical expressions of the African diaspora. The disc soars — and sometimes stumbles — with impassioned contributions from vocalists Pedrito Martinez, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra’s Amayo, Miles Davis guitarist Pete Cosey, P-Funk guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight and keyboardist John Medeski. www.livewiredmusic.org.

By: Bliss