Search - Art Blakey, Afro Drum Ensemble :: African Beat (24bt) (Mlps)

Smooth - Hot - Timeless Funk

mythmara | Santa Monica, CA United States | 08/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you search for the roots, the foundation of music, you'll eventually find yourself in Africa. Art Blakey is such a respected name, that the risk of buying a yet unreviewed high priced disk was worth a try. The CD is smooth, with big sound and beautiful complex rhythms, which many rich native instruments. The back cover quotes Art Blakey saying that the making of this disk was more satisfying than any other percussion album he has ever made..."For one thing, this is the first time I've been able to use so many African drummers along with American jazzmen. Secondly, unlike most gatherings of drummers, this is really an ensemble, not a cutting contest. The music comes first, not egos.." Track 6 Ayiko Ayiko (Welcome, welcome, My Darling) has the rocking beat of natural percussion along with tenor sax that will get your hips moving! Loose and free, how we should be..."