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CD Review
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L.A. Weekly, CD Review >>
Sekous Bembaya Diabate sports of of music's great nicknames- Diamond Fingers. Renowned as one of Africa's crack post colonial guitarists, Sekou has made his glittering riffs a constant in Bembeya Jazz's 40-year history. Mixing griot-folk influences with Hawaiin slide and humidified reverb, Sekou's fret-rampaging runs and uncanny Manding swing are legend among worshipers of the Motherland's sacred strings. Thought the band had been a cornerstone of Guinean cultural nationalism and inspirational source of authentic Afro-pop, it saw though times for a while. But like musical cousins Super Rail Band (Mali) and Orchestra Baobab (Senegal), Bembaya Jazz has been virtually reborn, playing the European circuit and touring North America in support of Bembaya (World Village), its first album in almost 15 years. The disc finds the signature Bembaya sound intact: The four-deep intersititial guitars, ragged-glorious Latinesque horns, mosque-gospel West African harmonies and ageless percussive power are dialed in tight. Tracks "Sanfaran" and "Sabou" roomp lioke a frisky colt, while "Gbapie" feigns langour then gets wiggy with groove. It's real-real deal time:
-Tom Cheyney 08/01/03
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